Edible biopolymers with functional additives coatings for postharvest quality preservation in horticultural crops: a review
Global concerns over the depletion of fossil fuels and their impact on the environment have resulted in the development of bio-based materials with more sustainable approaches. The need for a more sustainable economy and a reduction of fossil fuel dependency is driving research in this field. Biopol...
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| Format: | Article |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2025.1569458/full |
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| author | Rohan Rama Krishnan Abdulhakeem Dapo Olasupo Keya Himanshu Patel Islamiyat Folashade Bolarinwa Moruf Olanrewaju Oke Catherine Okafor Chikere Nkwonta Idolo Ifie |
| author_facet | Rohan Rama Krishnan Abdulhakeem Dapo Olasupo Keya Himanshu Patel Islamiyat Folashade Bolarinwa Moruf Olanrewaju Oke Catherine Okafor Chikere Nkwonta Idolo Ifie |
| author_sort | Rohan Rama Krishnan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Global concerns over the depletion of fossil fuels and their impact on the environment have resulted in the development of bio-based materials with more sustainable approaches. The need for a more sustainable economy and a reduction of fossil fuel dependency is driving research in this field. Biopolymers are chain-like molecular structures made of covalently attached monomeric units derived from renewable resources, microorganisms, or synthetic and biodegradable sources. Although biopolymer-based coatings have promising applications in postharvest preservation, they are often limited by their inherent properties when applied alone to fresh produce. This review focuses on assessing the efficacy and potential of biopolymer-based edible coatings in postharvest preservation, with a specific emphasis on the role of functional additives in enhancing performance. Furthermore, it explores how natural additives like essential oils, antioxidants, and antimicrobials interact with biopolymer matrixes in synergy, evaluating their enhanced functional properties in extending the shelf life of produce as well as their environmental impact and biodegradability. By analyzing interactions, release mechanisms, and comparative effectiveness of additives, the role and future of active ingredients in creating multifunctional preservation systems that meet food safety and sustainability requirements is presented. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-f642d82c52104ee3b2012cdb2aeb44ea |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2571-581X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems |
| spelling | doaj-art-f642d82c52104ee3b2012cdb2aeb44ea2025-08-20T03:10:57ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems2571-581X2025-04-01910.3389/fsufs.2025.15694581569458Edible biopolymers with functional additives coatings for postharvest quality preservation in horticultural crops: a reviewRohan Rama Krishnan0Abdulhakeem Dapo Olasupo1Keya Himanshu Patel2Islamiyat Folashade Bolarinwa3Moruf Olanrewaju Oke4Catherine Okafor5Chikere Nkwonta6Idolo Ifie7School of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Leeds, Leeds, United KingdomDepartment of Food Science, Faculty of Food and Consumer Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho, NigeriaSchool of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Leeds, Leeds, United KingdomDepartment of Food Science, Faculty of Food and Consumer Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho, NigeriaDepartment of Food Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho, NigeriaSchool of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Leeds, Leeds, United KingdomDepartment of Biosciences, Durham University, Durham, United KingdomSchool of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Leeds, Leeds, United KingdomGlobal concerns over the depletion of fossil fuels and their impact on the environment have resulted in the development of bio-based materials with more sustainable approaches. The need for a more sustainable economy and a reduction of fossil fuel dependency is driving research in this field. Biopolymers are chain-like molecular structures made of covalently attached monomeric units derived from renewable resources, microorganisms, or synthetic and biodegradable sources. Although biopolymer-based coatings have promising applications in postharvest preservation, they are often limited by their inherent properties when applied alone to fresh produce. This review focuses on assessing the efficacy and potential of biopolymer-based edible coatings in postharvest preservation, with a specific emphasis on the role of functional additives in enhancing performance. Furthermore, it explores how natural additives like essential oils, antioxidants, and antimicrobials interact with biopolymer matrixes in synergy, evaluating their enhanced functional properties in extending the shelf life of produce as well as their environmental impact and biodegradability. By analyzing interactions, release mechanisms, and comparative effectiveness of additives, the role and future of active ingredients in creating multifunctional preservation systems that meet food safety and sustainability requirements is presented.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2025.1569458/fulledible biopolymersfunctional additivessustainabilitypost harvest qualityshelf life |
| spellingShingle | Rohan Rama Krishnan Abdulhakeem Dapo Olasupo Keya Himanshu Patel Islamiyat Folashade Bolarinwa Moruf Olanrewaju Oke Catherine Okafor Chikere Nkwonta Idolo Ifie Edible biopolymers with functional additives coatings for postharvest quality preservation in horticultural crops: a review Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems edible biopolymers functional additives sustainability post harvest quality shelf life |
| title | Edible biopolymers with functional additives coatings for postharvest quality preservation in horticultural crops: a review |
| title_full | Edible biopolymers with functional additives coatings for postharvest quality preservation in horticultural crops: a review |
| title_fullStr | Edible biopolymers with functional additives coatings for postharvest quality preservation in horticultural crops: a review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Edible biopolymers with functional additives coatings for postharvest quality preservation in horticultural crops: a review |
| title_short | Edible biopolymers with functional additives coatings for postharvest quality preservation in horticultural crops: a review |
| title_sort | edible biopolymers with functional additives coatings for postharvest quality preservation in horticultural crops a review |
| topic | edible biopolymers functional additives sustainability post harvest quality shelf life |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2025.1569458/full |
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