The effects of composite coatings containing chitosan and Mentha (piperita L. or x villosa Huds) essential oil on postharvest mold occurrence and quality of table grape cv. Isabella

The effects of coatings containing shrimp chitosan and the essential oil from Mentha piperita L. (MPEO) or M. villosa Huds (MVEO) to control common mold infections in table grape cv. Isabella (Vitis labrusca L.) that were caused by Aspergillus niger, Botrytis cinerea, Penicillium expansum and Rhizopus stolonifer were evaluated. The effects of the coatings on physicochemical and sensory characteristics of the grapes were also assessed. The coatings containing chitosan (4, 8mg/mL) and MPEO or MVEO (1.25, 2.5, 5μL/mL) delayed the mold growth and reduced the incidence of infections caused by all test fungi in grapes during storage at room and low temperatures. The coatings (chitosan 4mg/mL; MPEO or MVEO 1.25, 2.5μL/mL) did not negatively affect the physicochemical and sensory characteristics of grapes. From these results, coatings containing chitosan and MPEO or MVEO are potential postharvest treatments to control common mold infections in table grape cv. Isabella.