Abstract
Fruits and vegetables are affected by postharvest diseases and physiological processes such as transpiration and respiration after harvest, leading to significant quality losses during transportation and storage. To control postharvest diseases and extend shelf life, synthetic fungicides are commonly used. However, the extensive use of these chemicals raises concerns about potential health risks, environmental impact, and the development of fungicide-resistant pathogens. Therefore, alternative approaches, such as edible coatings with plant extracts, essential oils and nanoparticles loaded with plant extracts are explored to address these challenges while maintaining quality and safety of fresh fruits and vegetables. Nanoparticles loaded with essential oils or plant extracts are synthesized using ionic gelation method, spontaneous emulsification, phase inversion temperature, emulsion inversion point, and solvent displacement methods etc. Nanoparticle enriched edible coating delivers plant compound gradually over time. This controlled release provides a consistent and long-lasting effect, effectively inhibiting microbial growth, slowing nutrient degradation, and reducing oxidative stress on the produce. The nanoscale size of these particles increases their surface area, enhancing their adhesion to the surface of fruits or vegetables. This results in a more efficient barrier against moisture loss and gas exchange, further preserving the quality and extending the shelf life of the produce. The synergistic effects of the nano-reinforced matrices show promising results in reducing post-harvest losses while maintaining food safety standards. This innovative approach holds immense potential for revolutionizing the postharvest management of fruits and vegetables by offering a safer, more sustainable alternative to synthetic fungicides. Future research should focus on optimizing the formulation and scalability of nanoparticle-enriched edible coatings, evaluating their efficacy across diverse produce types, and assessing their long-term safety and environmental impact. This review examines the current developments in edible coating technology, focusing on various plant extracts, essential oils, and nanoparticles loaded with plant extracts enriched edible coating for extending shelf life and preserving the quality of fruits and vegetables.
Abstract from the paper’s OpenAlex record, shown for indexing and research. Copyright remains with the authors or the publisher. Read at the source ↗
The text the model read, with the source record’s inline markup (italics, sub- and superscripts) rendered and its character entities decoded; quote offsets refer to the raw text.
Claims 7
Claim · model-written summary
Nanoparticle enriched coatings gradually release plant compounds.
Verbatim
e0“Nanoparticle enriched edible coating delivers plant compound gradually over time.”
t0“fruits and vegetables”
Claim · model-written summary
Controlled release inhibits microbial growth on produce.
Verbatim
e0“This controlled release provides a consistent and long-lasting effect, effectively inhibiting microbial growth, slowing nutrient degradation, and reducing oxidative stress on the produce.”
t0“fruits and vegetables”
Claim · model-written summary
Controlled release slows nutrient degradation and reduces oxidative stress in produce.
Verbatim
e0“This controlled release provides a consistent and long-lasting effect, effectively inhibiting microbial growth, slowing nutrient degradation, and reducing oxidative stress on the produce.”
t0“fruits and vegetables”
Claim · model-written summary
Nanoscale particle size improves adhesion to fruit and vegetable surfaces.
Verbatim
e0“The nanoscale size of these particles increases their surface area, enhancing their adhesion to the surface of fruits or vegetables.”
Claim · model-written summary
Better coating adhesion improves the barrier against moisture loss and gas exchange and extends produce shelf life.
Verbatim
e0“This results in a more efficient barrier against moisture loss and gas exchange, further preserving the quality and extending the shelf life of the produce.”
t0“fruits and vegetables”
Claim · model-written summary
Synergistic nano-reinforced matrices show promise for reducing postharvest losses while maintaining food safety.
Verbatim
e0“The synergistic effects of the nano-reinforced matrices show promising results in reducing post-harvest losses while maintaining food safety standards.”
t0“fruits and vegetables”
Claim · model-written summary
The authors recommend optimizing coating formulation and scalability and evaluating efficacy and long-term safety.
Verbatim
e0“Future research should focus on optimizing the formulation and scalability of nanoparticle-enriched edible coatings, evaluating their efficacy across diverse produce types, and assessing their long-term safety and environmental impact.”
t0“fruits and vegetables”