Reducing postharvest loss by improving fruit quality, shelf life, bioactive compounds of Rutab date (Phoenix dactylifera L. ‘Barhi’) using natural elicitors

Date palm fruit ‘Barhi’ has always been in high demand in the Arab region. However, maintaining its quality from farm to market is a key problem. The present study aimed to investigate the synergistic effect of preharvest treatment with different formulations of natural elicitors namely, chitosan (Ch) 1% alone and combined with salicylic acid (SA) 2 mM and calcium chloride (Ca) 3% as on the quality parameters, storage life, and bioactive compounds content of ‘Barhi’ date fruit at harvest and during 6 weeks of cold storage. Total soluble solids (TSS) were found lower in Ca, Ch+SA+Ca, Ch+SA treated fruit as compared to the control fruits. Similarly, Ch+SA treated fruits did not show any decay after 6 weeks of storage. The total phenolic (TPC), tannin (TTC) and flavonoid (TFC) content were found highest in the Ca treatment followed by Ch+Ca+SA and Ch by the end of the storage. Antioxidant activities were found in all treatments, and were significantly higher in Ch+SA+Ca, Ch+SA and Ch treated fruits as compared to control and other treatments. Our results showed that the use of elicitor combinations increased the shelf life of ‘Barhi’ date fruit during cold storage most likely by preserving its quality and reducing decay at rutab stage (second edible stage).