[Objective] The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of chitosan with different molecular weights on quality and lignification of postharvest Chi- nese chive scapes （Allium tuberosum Rottler ex Sprengel）. [Method] Some physio- logical and biochemical indexes such as weight loss, decay index, opening rate of flowers, chlorophyll and ascorbic acid content, respiration rate, the activities of enzymes, lignin and cellulose content of Chinese chive scapes treated with three kinds of chitosan with different molecular weights were investigated during the room stor- age at 20 ℃ to simulate shelf life. [Result] The results showed that all the treat- ments of chitosan with different molecular weights significantly delayed weight loss, decay index and opening rate of flowers, maintained higher chlorophyll and ascorbic acid content, inhibited respiration rate, reduced the activities of enzymes phenylala- nine ammonia lyase, cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase and peroxidase, and retarded lignin and cellulose accumulation during the storage of Chinese chive scapes. However, high molecular weight chitosan has better preservation effect on Chinese chive scapes. [Conclusion] The results suggest that the coating treatment of high molecu- lar weight chitosan may be a promising technique to maintain postharvest quality of Chinese chive scapes.
