Effects of Edible Chitosan Coating on Quality and Increasing Storage Life of Cucumber cv.

Chitosan، is non-toxic، biodegradable and biocompatible material، which can be used as edible coatings to maintain quality and enhance postharvest life of fruits and vegetables. In this study، the effect of chitosan at 0، 0. 5، 1 and 2% concentrations on storage life of cucumber cv. «Zomorod» was investigated. After treatment and keeping in an incubator at 12 °C and 90% relative humidity، the fruits were assessed in 5-days intervals to determine parameters such as firmness، weight loss، vitamin C، titratable acidity، soluble solids and chlorophyll content. Experiment was performed as a split-plot design in time in a completely randomized design with three replications. The results of the experiment showed that chitosan coating، had a significant effect on all traits except titrable acidity. The lowest weight loss and the highest firmness were recorded with 1% chitosan treatment which significantly differed from the control. It is appeared that chitosan coatings could be used to increase the storage life of cucumber fruit and to maintain its quality for a longer period.