Effects of Chitosan-Plant Extract Coatings on the Postharvest Quality of Mango Fruits (Mangifera indica) with Anthracnose Disease

Anthracnose is the most prevalent and devastating fungal disease both before and after harvesting of mango worldwide. The anthracnose pathogen infects fruit in the field and remains quiescent until the fruit is harvested and starts to ripen. This is the major constraint in the commercialization of fresh mango. Currently, this is the first study that has evaluated the impact of a chitosan-based coating with Aloe vera gel and papaya leaf extracts on the postharvest quality of mango fruit infected with anthracnose under ambient storage conditions. After coating and drying, mangoes were artificially inoculated with Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (105 conidia per mL) and then air-dry, placed in perforated open-top plastic baskets, and stored at room conditions (average temperature 34.3 ± 2°C and relative humidity 71.8 ± 10%). The respiration rate, weight loss, color, firmness, vitamin C content, and spoilage rate were measured during storage. The results showed that the coating formula made with 0.5% chitosan combined with 0.3 % Aloe vera gel and 0.2% papaya leaf extracts was the most effective formula for maintaining postharvest quality and minimizing the spoilage of mango fruit infected with anthracnose under ambient conditions. Further in-depth studies are needed to determine both the mode of action in the successful commercialization of this new edible coating in the fresh mango fruit industry.