A comprehensive review of edible coatings for postharvest management of fruits and vegetables: enhancing food and nutrition security

Abstract Fruits and vegetables are perishable crops that need particular handling methods to preserve their quality and prolong shelf life. Among these methods, the utilization of edible coatings has emerged as a promising solution to reduce postharvest losses of fruits and vegetables, thereby improving food and nutrition security. However, the significant contribution of edible coatings in preserving fresh produce, reducing postharvest loss, and enhancing the food and nutritional value of fruits and vegetables is not well documented. Therefore, this review assesses the contribution of edible coatings to enhancing food and nutrition security by managing the postharvest loss of fruits and vegetables. Biodegradable, non-toxic, and ecologically friendly innovative technology, edible coatings increase the shelf life of fruits and vegetables by limiting oxidation, retarding biological and physiological processes, and preventing moisture loss. During the selection of an edible coating for fruits and vegetables, considering the biodegradability, protection, and barrier properties (moisture and oxygen), sustainability, cost, moderate gas permeability, and non-toxicity is very paramount. Edible coatings, with their properties of antioxidants and antimicrobials, preserve the nutritional values, quality, and shelf life of fruits and vegetables. The commonly used edible coatings are polysaccharide-based edible coatings (starch and its derivative, cellulose and its derivative, chitosan, aloe vera, mucilage of cactus trees, seaweed extracts), protein-based edible coatings, lipid-based edible coatings, and beeswax edible coatings. The review concluded that these edible coatings, when used at appropriate concentrations, lowered postharvest losses of fruit and vegetables during storage, thereby resulting in improved food and nutrition security. The concepts of comprehensive studies required for developing plant’s an essential oil edible coatings and films for food packaging applications, as well as overcoming challenges like consumer acceptance, regulatory requirements, and non-toxic scaling up to the commercial applications, have also been discussed.