Impact of chitosan coatings on shelf-life, nutrient elements and biochemical qualities of country beans (Phaseolus lunatus L.) at postharvest storage

Purpose: In Bangladesh, postharvest damage to various vegetables is common because of a lack of appropriate technologies. Country beans (Phaseolus lunatus L.), one of Bangladesh's main winter vegetables, are cultivated throughout the country, which provides numerous health advantages. A research experiment was performed to measure the impact of chitosan covering on weight loss, shelf-life, and some nutritional characteristics of country beans at postharvest storage. Research Method: The experiment was set up in a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications and four treatments at room temperature (≈۲۳-۲۵ºC), and the treatments were: T۰ (control), T۱ (coating with ۰.۱۰% solution), T۲ (coating with ۰.۲۰% solution) and T۳ (coating with ۰.۳۰% solution). Findings: The use of ۰.۲۰% chitosan prevented weight reduction by ۱.۵۹% as compared to the control and extended the shelf-life up to ۲۳.۳% in country beans at ۱۰ and ۱۲ days after postharvest storage (DAPS), respectively. Chlorophyll-a, chlorophyll-b and total chlorophyll contents varied from ۰.۷۵-۱.۵۹, ۱.۳۶-۲.۸۶ and ۲.۱۱-۴.۴۵ mg g-۱ tissue at ۵ DAPS and ۰.۶۱-۱.۲۶, ۱.۱۰-۲.۲۷ and ۱.۷۰-۳.۵۳ mg g-۱ tissue at ۱۰ DAPS, respectively. Chitosan treatment T۲ significantly enhanced calcium (۰.۷۷%) and phosphorus (۰.۵۱%) contents in the country beans during postharvest storage at ۵ DAPS. Additionally, treatment T۳ significantly increased total phenolics (۳.۰۶ mg ۱۰۰g-۱ tissue) in the country beans during postharvest storage at the same DAPS. Research limitations: The study could not measure some traits (i.e., anti-radical activity, the activity of antioxidant enzymes, etc.) due to a lack of laboratory facilities. Originality/Value: This experiment revealed that country beans covered with ۰.۲۰% chitosan solutions could be utilized to enhance several nutritional properties, check weight loss, and prolong the shelf-life.