Application of the salicylic/low molecular weight chitosan-iodine complex and calcium nitrate for Edaw longan to delay the ripening process and prolong the post-harvest shelf life of fruits

Du Duy Bui; Tho Phuoc Tran; Tuan Nghiem Anh Le; Giang Ngoc Doan; Cong Thanh Huynh; Ngoc Thanh Truong; Kien Trung Chu

doi:10.15625/2525-2518/22377

Author affiliations

Authors

Du Duy Bui $^1$ Institute of Advanced Technology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 1B TL29 Street, Quarter 1, An Phu Dong Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
$^2$ Graduate University of Science and Technology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Nghia Do Ward, Hanoi, Viet Nam
Tho Phuoc Tran $^1$ Institute of Advanced Technology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 1B TL29 Street, Quarter 1, An Phu Dong Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
$^2$ Graduate University of Science and Technology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Nghia Do Ward, Hanoi, Viet Nam https://orcid.org/0009-0003-7877-6896
Tuan Nghiem Anh Le $^1$ Institute of Advanced Technology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 1B TL29 Street, Quarter 1, An Phu Dong Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
Giang Ngoc Doan $^1$ Institute of Advanced Technology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 1B TL29 Street, Quarter 1, An Phu Dong Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam https://orcid.org/0009-0008-2738-862X
Cong Thanh Huynh $^1$ Institute of Advanced Technology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 1B TL29 Street, Quarter 1, An Phu Dong Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
Ngoc Thanh Truong $^1$ Institute of Advanced Technology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 1B TL29 Street, Quarter 1, An Phu Dong Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
Kien Trung Chu $^3$ Institute of Agriculture Science for Southern Vietnam, Vietnam Academy of Agriculture Science, 121 Nguyen Binh Khiem, Tan Dinh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam https://orcid.org/0009-0008-1136-5140

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15625/2525-2518/22377

Keywords:

Edaw longan, iodine, low molecular weight chitosan, pre-harvest, preservation, salicylic acid

Abstract

Longan (Dimocarpus longan) is a tropical fruit widely cultivated in many Asian countries. However, its short shelf life makes it prone to quality deterioration during storage and transportation, especially during the peak harvest. In this study, we present a pre-harvest treatment method by spraying the mixture of salicylic acid/low molecular weight chitosan-iodine (SA/LMWCS-I₂) complex and Ca(NO₃)₂ solution on Edaw longan trees during fruit setting period to delay fruit ripening and extend the post-harvest shelf life of longan fruits. The SA/LMWCS-I₂ complex was prepared by dissolving LMWCS in SA and subsequently complexing it with an I₂ solution. The formation of a complex between LMWCS and I₂ was confirmed through X-ray diffraction analysis. Experimental results indicated that four pre-harvest treatments with the SA/LMWCS-I₂ complex at concentrations of 260, 325, and 433 mg/L combined with a 5,000 mg/L Ca(NO₃)₂ solution delayed the ripening of Edaw longan fruits by 6–10 days. Additionally, these treatments increased fruit weight by 10–15 % compared to the control treatment. Furthermore, the quality of longan fruit treated with the SA/LMWCS-I₂ complex combined with Ca(NO₃)₂ solution was improved during post-harvest storage, with a shelf life of 6–8 days at ambient temperature, compared to only 4 days for the control treatment. Thus, pre-harvest application of the SA/LMWCS-I₂ complex mixed with Ca(NO₃)₂ solution not only delays fruit ripening, i.e., extends the harvest period but also increases the shelf life of Edaw longan fruits, offering a promising approach to improving economic efficiency in longan production.

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