Influence of chitosan coating and packaging materials on the quality characteristics of fresh-cut cucumber

In this study, the influence of chitosan coating and packaging materials on the quality characteristics of fresh-cut cucumber during storage was examined. Fresh cucumber was cut into 10 mm thick slices and then coated with chitosan through immersion in 1% and 2% chitosan solutions while control samples (uncoated) were immersed in distilled water. Coated and uncoated fresh-cut samples were packaged in three different materials: 60 μm low-density polyethylene (LDPE) film, polypropylene tray with 65 μm casted polypropylene (CPP) film and 110 μm composite polyamide-polyethylene (PAPE) film, and then sealed and stored at 5°C for 12 days. During this storage period, the gas composition, visual quality, weight loss, firmness, total soluble solids, pH, color, and microbial quality of the samples were evaluated periodically. The fresh-cut samples coated with chitosan recorded better quality characteristics compared to those of uncoated samples. This result confirmed the significance of chitosan coating for preserving the quality of fresh-cut fruits. The samples stored in LDPE and CPP packaging materials without chitosan coating showed a decline in quality, while PAPE enhanced the barrier properties of chitosan coating and consequently improved the quality of fresh-cut cucumber during its storage. At the end of the storage period, 2% chitosan-coated and PAPE-packaged fresh-cut cucumber samples showed the best quality characteristics. Hence, we recommend the combined application of chitosan coating with PAPE package for better preserving the quality of fresh-cut cucumber.