Chitosan-based Edible Coating Prolongs Musa troglodytarum L. (‘Pisang Tongkat Langit’) Fruit Shelf-life and Changes the ACS1 and ACO1 Gene Expression Profile

Abstract

Musa troglodytarum L. (‘Pisang Tongkat Langit’), a banana cultivar which originated from Eastern Indonesia, has an economic potential due to the high β-carotene content on its pulp. Being a climacteric fruit, M. troglodytarum has a short shelf-life that can reduce fruit quality. In this study, the effect of 1.25% (w/v) chitosan coating on M. troglodytarum fruit shelf-life and ACS1 and ACO1 gene expression analysis using quantitative PCR were evaluated. Results showed that the application of chitosan coating delayed the fruit ripening process for two days by delaying several fruit physical and chemical changes. ACS1 and ACO1 gene expression analysis showed a different expression pattern, the expression level was lower on chitosan-coated fruits on the first day compared to control. In conclusion, chitosan-based edible coating delayed M. troglodytarum fruit ripening and changed the ACS1 and ACO1 gene expression pattern, compared with the chitosan coating effect on Cavendish banana which also prolonged fruit ripening and suppressed ACS1 and ACO1 expression in a previous research.