The Multifunctional Role of Chitosan in Horticultural Crops; A Review

Abstract

Chitosan is a naturally occurring compound and is commercially produced from seafood shells. It has been utilized in the induction of the defense system in both pre and post-harvest fruits and vegetables against fungi, bacteria, viruses, and other abiotic stresses. In addition to that, chitosan effectively improves the physiological properties of plants and also enhances the shelf life of post-harvest produces. Moreover, chitosan treatment regulates several genes in plants, particularly the activation of plant defense signaling pathways. That includes the elicitation of phytoalexins and pathogenesis-related (PR) protein. Besides that, chitosan has been employed in soil as a plant nutrient and has shown great efficacy in combination with other industrial fertilizers without affecting the soil’s beneficial microbes. Furthermore, it is helpful in reducing the fertilizer losses due to its coating ability, which is important in keeping the environmental pollution under check. Based on exhibiting such excellent properties, there is a striking interest in using chitosan biopolymers in agriculture systems. Therefore, our current review has been centered upon the multiple roles of chitosan in horticultural crops that could be useful in future crop improvement programs.

Chitosan Application in Vineyards (Vitis vinifera L. cv. Tinto Cão) Induces Accumulation of Anthocyanins and Other Phenolics in Berries, Mediated by Modifications in the Transcription of Secondary Metabolism Genes

“…The potential of chitosan application has been studied in many horticultural crops, towards inducement of defense mechanisms, improved agronomic traits, easier post-harvest management of fruits and vegetables, augmented plant growth and physiological activities, including as a bio-fertilizer/fertilizer protectant [5], and enhanced abiotic stress management properties [6]. Some reports demonstrated its potential effect on powdery mildew [7] and gray mold control [8] in grapevine.…”

Alternative Eco-Friendly Methods in the Control of Post-Harvest Decay of Tropical and Subtropical Fruits

“…Enzymatic activity is also affected by the curative application of chitosan, and it increases the activity of polyphenol oxidase (PPO), peroxidase (POD), and phenylalanine amino-lyase (PAL) that induce the expression genes of β-1,3-glucanase and chitinase, involved in the defense against pathogens [29,30]. The physiological mechanisms of the fruit are positively affected by the application of chitosan at post-harvest management under biotic and abiotic stress, that is why the post-harvest shelf-life and quality (firmness, appearance, color) of fruit can be maintained during the storage time, besides the respiration rate and ethylene production of fruits decrease [31]. Some studies reported an enhanced content of total soluble solids, ascorbic acid, the nutritional value, and acceptability [30,32,33].…”

Prospects of insects as food and feed

“…When the harvested stage is reached, e.g., last larval stages for mealworms and prepupae for the black soldier fly, the left-over substrate should be removed. Left over substrate can then be used as fertilizer, probably due chitin or its derivate chitosan, which triggers plant growth and induces plant defense (Sharif et al 2018;Sharp 2013).…”