Effects of free and encapsulated Rosmarinus officinalis (L.) essential oil against Carpophilus hemipterus (Nitidulidae) and its impact on dates’ quality during different storage periods

The formulation based on essential oils loaded into chitosan matrix has a potential to stabilize chemical parameters of stored products such as fruits. This study was undertaken to assess the fumigation the effect of fumigation on the quality of date fruit when a chitosan matrix of free and encapsulated rosemary essential oils are used. Results revealed reddish color and decrease in firmness for untreated dates comparing to treated dates with chitosan-essential oil. Furthermore, composition varied according to storage periods and treatments. After 30 days of storage the protein content was 1.07%, moisture 28.14% and ash 2.96 g/100 g for infested dates against 2.21%, 26.34% and 1.71 g/100 g registered for treated dates with encapsulated essential oil. Furthermore, it has been observed that encapsulation of rosemary essential oil can be used without any effect on chemical parameters such as mineral elements. Overall, this research pointed out that coated rosemary essential oil in chitosan matrix could be considered as an alternative method for the control of insect infestation during long storage periods as well as preservative of the fruit quality during long storage periods.