Potential of engineered nanostructured biopolymer based coatings for perishable fruits with Coronavirus safety perspectives

Abstract

Fresh fruits are prioritized needs in order to fulfill the required health benefits for human beings. However, some essential fruits are highly perishable with very short shelf-life during storage because of microbial growth and infections. Thus improvement of fruits shelf-life is a serious concern for their proper utlization without generation of huge amount of fruit-waste. Among various methods employed in extension of fruits shelf-life, design and fabrication of edible nanocoatings with antimicrobial activities have attracted considerable interest because of their enormous potential, novel functions, eco-friendly nature and good durability. In recent years, scientific communities have payed increased attention in the development of advanced antimicrobial edible coatings to prolong the postharvest shelf-life of fruits using hydrocolloids. In this review, we attempted to highlight the technical breakthrough and recent advancements in development of edible fruit coating by the application of various types of agro-industrial residues and different active nanomaterials incorporated into the coatings and their effects on shelf-life of perishable fruits. Improvements in highly desired functions such as antioxidant/antimicrobial activities and mechanical properties of edible coating to significantly control the gases (O 2 /CO 2 ) permeation by the incorporation of nanoscale natural materials as well as metal nanoparticles are reviewed and discussed. In addition, by compiling recent knowledge, advantages of coatings on fruits for nutritional security during COVID-19 pandemic are also summarized along with the scientific challenges and insights for future developments in fabrication of engineered nanocoatings.

Biopolymer: A Sustainable Material for Food and Medical Applications

“…COVID-19 incidences resulted in millions of infections and deaths worldwide because of its fast spreadability. Like the drugs, healthy fruits with excellent nutritional value have been promoted during the COVID-19 crisis [ 107 ]. While the pandemic significantly impacted the economy, it also significantly influenced the healthy supply chain in the forms of fruits from farm to plate due to labor shortages, transportation limitations, and outdoor activities.…”

Green synthesis of multifunctional ZnO/chitosan nanocomposite film using wild Mentha pulegium extract for packaging applications

“…Thus, it is highly recommended to use hand sanitizers to prevent virus infection. However, it is challenging to wash some foods, such as strawberries and crinkly lettuce [66] , [67] , [68] , [69] , [70] . Environmentally friendly edible films and coatings are becoming increasingly important for human safety and fruit shelf life.…”

“…Environmentally friendly edible films and coatings are becoming increasingly important for human safety and fruit shelf life. By coating berries with edible antiviral coatings made of alginate/oleic acid and green tea extract, Falco et al (2019) demonstrated the control of viral infection and increase in berry safety [64] , [65] , [66] , [67] , [68] . Particularly, they found that the coatings exhibited high antibacterial activity against foodborne viruses, murine norovirus, and human norovirus.…”

Synthesis, characterization, and suitability of cocoyam starch-banana peels nanocomposite film for locust beans packaging

“…This property can be useful in the design of active food packaging material since they can assist in ensuring heat balance within the film's microsphere, that may otherwise cause food product deterioration. Available literature has shown that perishable food products such as the locust beans typically produce oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, water vapor, carbon dioxide or methane during packaging (Kim et al 2014;Ghosh and Singh 2022;Zhao et al 2022). This can lead to a structural imbalance that can impact shelf life.…”