Edible Coatings in Fruits: Effectiveness and Applicability : A Review

Abstract

Fruits form an integral part of the human diet as they not only provide us with the fibre content but are a ready source of minerals, vitamins and carbohydrates. Although we have refined our production technologies to an extent that we can produce sufficient quantities of fruits still the post-harvest management and storage life of fruits is a bit of concern as the fruits are liable to spoilage due to high moisture content. For the nutritional security of our growing masses, it is essential to preserve our fruits and protect them from spoilage by using novel techniques. One such technique is to use coatings on the surface of the fruits which would act as insulation between the fruit’s internal environment and the external atmosphere. An edible coating has been shown to act as a shield on the surface of the fruit, change the internal environment, reduce loss of water and prolong fruit shelf life. This review highlights the advances made in the field of coating technology and its impact on the post-harvest life of fruits. Preventing post-harvest losses is the most important challenge in horticulture commodities. The edible coating is a sustainable alternative to traditional plastic packaging, which is non-biodegradable in nature and pollutes the environment. Functional edible coatings that can alter the inner environment of fruits while also increasing the food's value have been produced and developed