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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Fort Pierce, Florida » U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory » Citrus and Other Subtropical Products Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #418419
Research Project: Determination of Flavor and Healthful Benefits of Florida-Grown Fruits and Vegetables and Development of Postharvest Treatments to Optimize Shelf Life an Quality for Their Fresh and Processed Products

Location: Citrus and Other Subtropical Products Research

Title: Fundamentals of edible coatings and combination with biocontrol agents: A strategy to improve postharvest fruit preservation

Author
item MIRANDA, MARCELA - Parc Agrobiotech Lleida
item Bai, Jinhe
item PILON, LUCIMEIRE - Embrapa
item TORRES, ROSARIO - Parc Agrobiotech Lleida
item CASALS, CARLA - Parc Agrobiotech Lleida
item SOLSONA, CRISTINA - Parc Agrobiotech Lleida
item TEIXIDÓ, NEUS - Parc Agrobiotech Lleida

Submitted to: Foods
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/17/2024
Publication Date: 9/20/2024
Citation: Miranda, M., Bai, J., Pilon, L., Torres, R., Casals, C., Solsona, C., Teixidó, N. Fundamentals of edible coatings and combination with biocontrol agents: A strategy to improve postharvest fruit preservation. Foods. 13(18): 2980. 2024. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13182980.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13182980

Interpretive Summary: Keeping fruits and vegetables fresh for longer is a big challenge in global food supply chains. One promising solution is using edible coatings (ECs) along with natural, helpful microbes called biocontrol agents (BCAs). These coatings are safe to eat and can help protect the produce from spoilage, while the BCAs work to fight off harmful pathogens. This review paper explains the latest advances in combining these two techniques to improve the freshness and quality of fruits and vegetables after they are harvested. It covers different types of edible coatings, such as those made from sugars, proteins, and fats, and explains how BCAs work to prevent spoilage. The review also discusses how well these methods work to keep fruits looking, tasting, and staying nutritious. However, there are still challenges, like meeting regulatory standards, making sure consumers are comfortable with these technologies, and figuring out how to apply them on a large scale. The review suggests areas for future research to make these methods even better and more effective for keeping our food fresh and safe.

Technical Abstract: Challenges in global food supply chains include preserving postharvest quality and extending the shelf life of fruits and vegetables. The utilization of edible coatings (ECs) combined with biocontrol agents (BCAs) represents a promising strategy to enhance the postharvest quality and shelf life of these commodities. This review analyzes the most recent developments in ECs technologies and their combination with BCAs, highlighting their synergistic effects on postharvest pathogen control and quality maintenance. Various types of ECs, including polysaccharides, proteins, and lipids, are discussed alongside coating fundamentals and the mechanisms through which BCAs contribute to pathogen suppression. The review also highlights the efficacy of these combined approaches in maintaining the physicochemical properties, sensory attributes, and nutritional value of fruits. Key challenges such as regulatory requirements, consumer acceptance, and the scalability of these technologies are addressed. Future research directions are proposed to optimize formulations, improve application techniques, and enhance the overall efficacy of these biocomposite coatings and multifunctional coatings. By synthesizing current knowledge and identifying gaps, this review provides a comprehensive understanding of the potential and limitations of using ECs and BCAs for sustainable postharvest management.