Abstract:The antioxidant and bacteriostatic activities of five coating agents, including 1% chitosan (Chi), 1% Cordyceps militaris water extract(CM), 1% Cordyceps militaris waste extract (SS), 1% chitosan combined with Cordyceps militaris water extract(Chi+CM) and 1% chitosan with Cordyceps militaris waste extract(Chi+SS), were investigated to study the preservation effects of chitosan coating and water extracts of Cordyceps militaris and its leftovers on the fresh fruits and vegetables. Chi+CM coating agent showed the best DPPH free radical scavenging ability, which also revealed the strongest antibacteria activity in the inhibition zone test. The inhibition of chitosan to Gram-positive bacteria could be enhanced by Cordyceps militaris water extract. When applied to zucchini stored at 6 ℃, the water extract of Cordyceps militaris combined with chitosan coating was found to reduce the weight loss, browning and hardness decline of zucchini, to maintain the soluble solids and ascorbic acid content, and to reduce the accumulation of MDA, POD and POD activity caused by oxidative stress and oxidative damage. In addition, it could inhibit microbial reproduction during storage.
