Influence of a chitosan coating on the quality and nutraceutical traits of loquat fruit during postharvest life

•Decay in loquat during cold storage was significantly reduced by chitosanChitosan treatment delayed the weight loss and fruit decay index.•Fruit quality was significantly influenced by chitosan.•Higher levels of bioactive compound and antioxidant activity were observed in chitosan-coated fruits.

Chitosan coating has been used for improving the postharvest life of fruits and vegetables. Loquat is a non-climacteric-fruit with a short postharvest life and a susceptibility to browning, chilling injury, purple spot and microbial decay. The effectiveness of a chitosan coating treatment (1%) on the quality and nutraceutical traits of three loquat cultivars and three selections stored at 7 °C for 21 days were investigated. It was found that chitosan treatment provided an effective control in reducing fruit weight loss and delaying changes in the soluble solids concentration, titratable acidity and skin colour during 21 days of cold storage in a cultivar-dependent manner. Furthermore, in chitosan-coated fruits, losses of the total polyphenol, flavonoid, carotenoid, ascorbic acid content and the antioxidant capacity were reduced. Principal component analysis was used to track the effect of different parameters on the effectiveness of the chitosan coating on loquat fruit. It showed that with the cold storage increasing time, the uncoated fruits exhibited a higher deterioration than chitosan-coated fruits.The chitosan coating could be used commercially to extend the postharvest life, improve the storability and enhance the nutraceutical value of loquat fruits up to 21 days of cold storage.