Abstract: After receiving coating treatment with different concentrations (0.50%, 1.00%, 1.50%, 2.00% and 2.50%) of chitosan solutions, round crisp dates (Zizyphus jujuba Mill fruits) were stored under the conditions of －1℃－0 ℃ and 90%－95% relative humidity for 70 days, and changes in the sensory, physical and chemical characteristics of round crisp dates were measured during the storage period. Coating treatment with 1.50% chitosan solution revealed the best fresh-keeping effect on round crisp dates, and the percentage of rotten fruits, fruit weight loss rate, firmness and the contents of titratable acid, vitamin C and soluble solid at the end of the storage period were 30.60%, 11.35%, 9.88 kg/cm2, 0.31%, 412.56% and 22.22%, respectively. The control group without receiving any fresh-keeping treatment, however, showed 92% of rotten fruits and completely lost commercial value. These data suggest that chritosan coating can noticeably retard post-harvest fruit senescence and extend the shelf life of round crisp dates.

Key words: round crisp dates, chitosan, coating, fresh-keeping