Effects of double layer membrane loading eugenol on postharvest quality of cucumber

Abstract

We prepared double layer membranes containing eugenol (0.2, 0.3, and 0.4 g/100 g) using electrospinning technology and investigated their effects on the postharvest quality of cucumbers. The poly (lactic acid) (PLA) membrane was attached to the collector, and the nanofibers were prepared using an electrospinning device and deposited on the surface of the PLA membrane to form double layer membrane. The results informed that the shelf life of cucumbers packaged with double layer membranes increased from 15 days to 21 days at 4 °C. The double layer membrane containing 0.3 g/100 g eugenol had greater effects on delaying the spoilage process and prolonging the shelf life of cucumber fruits than other membrane. Compared with unpackaged samples, packaged samples had higher hardness values, Peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) enzyme activities, and protein and proline content; and they had lower weight loss, skin color differences values, stickiness values, microbial growth, and malondialdehyde (MDA) and total soluble sugar content. Our results suggest that double layer membranes may be used to extend the shelf life of cucumbers at 4 °C.