Abstract:

Oligochitosan (OCH) is a water-soluble low carbohydrate polymer consisting of β-1,4-linked 2-acetamido-Dglucose
and β-1,4-linked 2-amino-D-glucose units. OCH has been universally used in the fields of agriculture, food and
medicine. Antifungal activity of OCH on the growth of pathogens causing postharvest diseases of fruits and vegetables,
and how its application is affected by molecular weight and concentration are reviewed in this paper. Inhibitory effect
of OCH on postharvest diseases, and the effect of OCH on the induced infection resistance, the metabolism of reactive
oxygen species (ROS) and the activities of defense-related enzymes in fruits and vegetables are further discussed.
Therefore, OCH is an environment-friendly biological inducer for the resistance to postharvest diseases. The application
of OCH and its combinations with other materials will provide a promising method for the prevention of postharvest
diseases of fruits and vegetables.

Key words: oligochitosan, fruits and vegetables, antifungal activity, postharvest diseases, induced disease resistance