Introduction: Efficient food packaging is essential to extend shelf life and ensure food
safety. Perishable fruits such as pears are particularly susceptible to P. expansum mould
infections, which can lead to the formation of the toxin patulin. The use of quaternary
chitosan, a chemically modified derivative of chitosan, increases solubility and antimicrobial
properties, which significantly improves the durability and effectiveness of food protection
against microbial contamination. Purpose: it was to investigate how the treatment of
different pear cultivars with a quaternary chitosan coating affects the growth of P. expansum
and reduces its damage. Methods: Two concentrations of quaternary chitosan (0.25% and
1%) dissolved in 1% acetic acid were applied to cleaned pears and inoculated with P.
expansum. The growth of the mould was monitored for 14 days, the diameter of the lesions
was measured, and the results were statistically analysed to assess the influence of pear
species, chitosan concentration and incubation time. Results: Quaternary chitosan inhibits
the growth of P. expansum on the pears tested, with different pear varieties showing different
susceptibility. A concentration of 0,25% quaternary chitosan reduced mould growth in
Conference and Abate Fetel varieties to a statistically significant level. With the 1% coating,
the protection effectiveness was observed in the same two pear varieties, while the
effectiveness of the 1% solution was only detected visually in the Packham's Triumph
variety. Discussion and conclusion: Based on the results, we can confirm the effectiveness
of quaternary chitosan in inhibiting the growth of the mold P. expansum only in two pear
varieties, Conference and Abate Fetel, while the effect in other varieties was less pronounced
or ineffective. Differences in the biophysical resistance of individual pear varieties proved
to be a key parameter in selecting appropriate fruit protection.
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