Improving ‘Nanguo’ pear fungal disease and storability by chitosan coating combined with diepoxy-poly (ethylene glycol)

Abstract

A protective coating can aid in reducing mechanical harm to food during harvesting, handling, and transportation, resulting in fewer bruises, wounds, and other injuries, thereby improving the overall quality of the produce. In this study, coatings with 1% (w/v) chitosan (CS) and 0.6% (w/v) diepoxy-polyethylene glycol (PEG) were prepared by the co-blending method. According to the findings, increasing the PEG concentration enhanced the moisture content, water vapor permeability, and contact angle properties. In addition, when viewed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the morphology of the films containing more PEG appeared rougher and denser. In addition, at room temperature, the freshness of ‘Nanguo’ pears and the antifungal efficacy of the coating against Penicillium italicum (P. italicum) and Botrytis cinerea (B. cinerea) were evaluated. According to the findings, the weight loss or total soluble solids of pears coated with CS or PEG did not differ significantly during storage. The fruit respiration rate and ascorbic acid (AA) and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents were maintained after coating CS insertion with PEG. The CS-PEG composite coating successfully inhibits the growth of P. italicum and B. cinerea (P. italicum > B. cinerea), according to an in vitro antifungal activity assay that was improved by adding PEG. According to principal component analysis (PCA) results, the CS-PEG coating significantly impacts pear sensory evaluation and firmness. At room temperature, the shelf life of pears with a CS-PEG coat has been extended from 15 days to 25 days.