Effects of chitosan coating on postharvest quality and shelf life of sponge gourd (Luffa cylindrica) during storage

•It is the first time to figure out postharvest quality of sponge gourd.•Chitosan coating markedly delayed senescence and enhanced shelf life of sponge gourd.•Chitosan induced the content of ascorbic acid and total phenolics, and suppressed activities of PPO, POD and PAL in sponge gourd.•Fibrosis of sponge gourd can be delayed by chitosan coating.

Sponge gourd is perishable and has a relative short shelf life. In this research, young immature sponge gourds were treated with aqueous solutions of 0% (Control), 0.5% and 1.0% of chitosan, all samples were enclosed in plastic boxes with polyethylene film bags and then stored in darkness at 25 ± 1 °C and 90–95% relative humidity (RH). The results showed that of 0.5% and 1.0% chitosan were effective in reducing respiration rate and weight loss, preserving firmness and visual appearance, retaining the content of ascorbic acid and total phenolics, and delaying the increase of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity. Moreover, 1.0% chitosan markedly suppressed peroxidase (POD) and phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) activities and exhibited a low level of cellulose contents compared with 0.5% chitosan and control. The results indicated that the use of chitosan effectively retained postharvest quality and extended shelf life of sponge gourd.