The litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.), which has a concise postharvest existence, may suffer from significant moisture loss, pericarp browning and microbial rot. This study targeted to evaluate the outcomes of combining chemical treatments with modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) and low-cost CoolBot containers on stretching the postharvest life of litchi. Potassium metabisulfite at 100 ppm was applied to the fruits, which were packaged in a perforated 50 µm LDPE MAP and held under low-humidity conditions (7.4–12°C and 85 ± 10% relative humidity). Physiological weight loss, firmness, titrable acidity, total soluble solids content, spoilage incidence, and shelf life were evaluated over 16 days. The treatment of potassium metabisulfite and MAP showed a notable decline in physiological weight loss (7.28%) and spoilage incidence (55.80%), a maintenance of firmness and TSS content, and an extension of shelf life to 16.41 days compared to control fruit, 12.21 days. Extension of shelf life was attributed to reduced respiration rates, increased humidity retention, and the antifungal activity of sulfite in a modified atmosphere. This combined potassium metabisulfite and MAP system offers a low-cost and practical alternative for managing the post-harvest handling of litchi by smallholder producers.

Keywords: Post-harvest, Potassium metabisulfite, Oxalic acid, TA.