Change of physical indicators of cherry fruit depending on treatment by polysaccharide compositions during storage

Currently, the problem of environmental pollution has become important, so the development of biodegradable films based on polysaccharide coatings, which could completely replace plastic is relevant. The purpose of research conducted with cherries of the varieties Alpha and Memory Artemenko, grown at the research station of pomology named after LP Simirenko IS NAAS − to establish the effect of treatment (100 mg/l) with a solution of salicylic acid; (1 %) chitosan with (100 mg/l) salicylic acid; (1 %) chitosan; on physical indicators: microstructure, density and weight loss of cherry fruits during storage at a temperature of 1 ± 0.5°C and relative humidity of 95±1 %. As a result of the conducted researches it was established that pre-treatment of cherry fruits with 100 mg/l with salicylic acid and 1 % chitosan affected the microstructure of mesocarp. The density of cherries of the varieties Alpha and Memory Artemenko, after storage decreased by 40.8 % and 45.2 %. In fruits treated with salicylic acid, the losses were 29.2 and 31.4 %, and 1 % solution of chitosan with salicylic acid −18,2 % and 12,6 %. Fruits pre-treated with a solution of salicylic acid have a lower weight loss of 3,5−3,4 %, and with the combined action of salicylic acid and chitosan – 2,7−3,0 %. The prospect of further research is to determine the physical changes of cherry fruits of different varieties by pre-treatment with a solution of salicylic acid and chitosan.