Impact of Novel Active Layer-by-Layer Edible Coating on the Qualitative and Biochemical Traits of Minimally Processed ‘Annurca Rossa del Sud’ Apple Fruit

Abstract

The color changes brought on by the enzymatic interactions of phenolic compounds with released endogenous polyphenol oxidase and the penetration of oxygen into the tissue has a significant impact on the commercialization of fresh-cut fruit, such as apples. This process causes a loss of quality in fresh-cut apples, resulting in browning of the fruit surface. By acting as a semipermeable barrier to gases and water vapor and thus lowering respiration, enzymatic browning, and water loss, edible coatings can provide a chance to increase the shelf life of fresh-cut produce. In this study, the effect of edible coatings composed of carboxymethylcellulose (CMC, 1%), sodium alginate (SA, 1%), citric acid (CA, 1%), and oxalic acid (OA, 0.5%) on fresh-cut ‘Annurca Rossa del Sud’ apple was studied. Four formulations of edible coatings, A. SA+CMC, B. SA+CMC+CA, C. SA+CMC+OA, and D. SA+CMC+CA+OA, were tested. Fresh-cut apples were dipped into different solutions and then stored at 4 °C, and physicochemical and biochemical analyses were performed at 0, 4, 8, and 12 days of storage. Results demonstrated that all four combinations improved the shelf-life of fresh-cut apple by slowing down the qualitative postharvest decay, total soluble solid, and titratable acidity. The browning index was highest in the control samples (82%), followed by CMC+SA (53%), CMC+SA+CA (32%), CMC+SA+OA (22%), and finally CMC+SA+CA+OA (7%) after 12 days of cold storage. Furthermore, coating application increased the bioactive compound content and antioxidant enzyme activities. Furthermore, the synergistic activity of SA+CMC+CA+OA reduces enzymatic browning, prolonging the postharvest life of minimally processed ‘Annurca Rossa del Sud’ apples.

An Innovative Layer-by-Layer Edible Coating to Regulate Oxidative Stress and Ascorbate–Glutathione Cycle in Fresh-Cut Melon

“…This study showed that in the uncoated fresh-cut samples, there was a significant increase in H 2 O 2 levels of about 17.6% compared to the coated samples at the end of cold storage. Exogenous coating treatments enhance the efficiency of the ascorbate-glutathione cycle, a crucial antioxidant pathway involved in the detoxification of ROS, as demonstrated in different fresh-cut fruits such as apple [72,73], pear [74], melon [14], peach [75], and avocado [70].…”

“…Multivariate analysis represents a valuable approach to elucidate the complex interactions between postharvest treatments and storage conditions in fruits. Furthermore, these techniques have been used to identify patterns and correlations within large datasets, elucidating the impact of postharvest treatments on fruit metabolism and quality attributes [72,74,76].…”

Sodium alginate/carboxymethyl cellulose films embedded with liposomes encapsulated green tea extract: characterization, controlled release, application

“…[15][16][17][18] SA is a "Generally Recognised as Safe" (GRAS) raw material, oen used as a stabiliser and thickener in the food industry. 19 CMC is a negatively charged cellulose derivative derived from natural cellulose. [20][21][22] It is soluble in water, has excellent biocompatibility and good viscosity, is stable to light and heat, is non-toxic and non-allergenic, and is ordinarily prepared as a substrate for active packaging.…”