Effects of Chitin and Its Derivative Chitosan on Postharvest Decay of Fruits: A Review

International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Hongyin Zhang¹  Renping Li² 

[1] College of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, Jiangsu, China;

关键词: chitin;    chitosan;    fruits;    postharvest decay;    control efficacy;    mechanisms;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijms12020917

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Considerable economic losses to harvested fruits are caused by postharvest fungal decay during transportation and storage, which can be significantly controlled by synthetic fungicides. However, considering public concern over pesticide residues in food and the environment, there is a need for safer alternatives for the control of postharvest decay to substitute synthetic fungicides. As the second most abundant biopolymer renewable source in nature, chitin and its derivative chitosan are widely used in controlling postharvest decay of fruits. This review aims to introduce the effect of chitin and chitosan on postharvest decay in fruits and the possible modes of action involved. We found most of the actions discussed in these researches rest on physiological mechanisms. All of the mechanisms are summarized to lay the groundwork for further studies which should focus on the molecular mechanisms of chitin and chitosan in controlling postharvest decay of fruits.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2011 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.