Abstract:
Effects of calcium chloride (CaCl[subscript 2]) and chitosan on postharvest shelf life and quality of okra pods (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) were investigated. Okra pods were immersed in calcium chloride at 0, 0.10, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.00, 2.00, 3.00 and 4.00% (v/w) solution and chitosan solution at 0, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 ppm then stored at 9 degree Celsius and 18 degree Celsius. Results showed that 0.50% CaCl[subscript 2] can maintain % of initial weight and overall appearance when stored at 9 degree Celsius. Pods treated with 0.25% CaCl[subscript 2] resulted in retained firmness and color (a value). Pods treated with 20 ppm chitosan had the highest firmness during 9 degree Celsius of storage. Chitosan can also preserve % of initial weight of pods stored at 18 degree Celsius. In addition, 5 and 10 ppm chitosan exhibited no disease infection throughtout the storage. Moreover, it was found that calcium chloride treatment and chitosan treatment of okra pods can maintain better postharvest quality of okra pods during 6 days of storage at 9 degree Celsius and 9 days at 18 degree Celsius than the combined application of calcium chloride and chitosan.