Improving Fruit Quality, Bioactive Compounds, and Storage Life of Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L., cv. Barhi) Using Natural Elicitors

"Barhi" date fruit is highly appreciated and widely consumed at the Bisr stage (first edible stage) of maturity. However, maintaining its quality for long periods of time after harvest and throughout marketing is a substantial challenge. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the effects of preharvest spray treatments of 1% chitosan (Ch) in conjunction with 3% calcium chloride (Ca) and 2 mM salicylic acid (SA) on "Barhi" fruit's shelf life, quality, and phytochemical composition at harvest and during cold storage. All treatments significantly delayed the ripening and decay of "Barhi" dates compared to controls. Ch treatment, followed by Ch + SA and Ch + SA + Ca, showed the lowest weight loss. Ch + Ca, Ch + SA + Ca, and Ch + SA treatments showed significantly lower levels of total soluble solids (TSS) compared to the control fruit. Ch + Ca and Ch + Ca + SA treatments showed no decayed fruit after 60 days of cold storage. At the end of storage time, the Ca treatment, followed by Ch + Ca + SA, showed the greatest total phenolic (TPC), flavonoids (TFC), and tannin (TTC) contents. Ch + SA + Ca, Ch + SA, and Ch showed significantly higher antioxidant and antimicrobial activities compared to controls. Based on these findings, these treatments may be recommended to prolong the shelf life of "Barhi" date fruit.