Abstract
This research delved into the impact of Chitosan and Salicylic Acid (SA) on disease incidence (DI) and the quality of citrus fruit, specifically concerning Penicillium digitatum infection. The study finds the use of the SA effect curbed the growth of green mold decay in citrus fruit due to P. digitatum. Meanwhile, Chitosan-treated fruit exhibited reduced (DI) and lesion diameters in comparison to the control, after 3 or 7 days. However, the combination of Chitosan and SA reduced (DI), plummeting to 36.67% from the control's 83.33% after 7 days. The combined treatment resulted in smaller lesion diameters. (PAL) activity exhibited a consistent increase in all treated fruit during storage. In conjunction with SA, Chitosan demonstrated the highest PAL activity after four weeks. In the case of (POD) activity, treated fruit showcased an increase compared to the control. (C) activity was notably elevated in treated fruit, with the combined treatment revealing the highest activity level. The total phenolic content throughout the treatments and the content of phenolic compounds saw a gradual ascent, culminating after four weeks. The combined treatment displayed elevated phenolic content in contrast to individual treatments and the control. The activities of chitinase and β-1,3-glucanase exhibited an upward trajectory in citrus peel over the storage period. Applying Chitosan and SA led to increased Total Soluble Solids (TSS) and ascorbic acid content after four weeks, with no significant differences in weight loss compared to the control.
