Rux G, Labude C, Herppich W B, Geyer M
Department of Horticultural Engineering, Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy (ATB), Max-Eyth-Allee 100, 14469, Potsdam, Germany.
Department Life Sciences and Technology, Berliner Hochschule für Technik (BHT), Luxemburger Straße 10, 13353, Berlin, Germany.
Curr Res Food Sci. 2022 Dec 5;6:100407. doi: 10.1016/j.crfs.2022.100407. eCollection 2023.
Plastic packaging for fresh horticultural produce has many advantages but generates plastic waste and ecological alternatives are required. Edible coatings can retard many processes related to loss of quality. Hydrophobic lipid-based coatings are preferably applied for fresh fruits and vegetables. The approval of such coatings for products with edible peels in EU is increasingly under discussion. However, investigations on the efficiency of various edible coatings on soft-skinned fruit and vegetables are rare and it is currently unclear whether the consumer will accept them. Therefore, this study investigates (1) important characteristics of a lipid-based coating and (2) its ability to maintain the post-harvest quality of fresh cucumbers. This was evaluated by a comparative storage test under common suboptimal retail conditions (20 °C; 65% RH). The study also evaluates (3) the general perception of consumers about and their acceptance of the application of edible coatings on fresh fruit and vegetables with edible peels. The investigated coating was able to drastically reduce water loss (54-68%) and fruit respiration (approx. 33%) of fresh cucumber. The reduction of tissue stiffness was delayed by 2 days, thus, prolonged shelf life. Majority of consumer (77%) endorse the application of edible coatings as an alternative to plastic packaging, but emphasized important requirements for them.
新鲜园艺产品的塑料包装有诸多优点，但会产生塑料垃圾，因此需要生态替代方案。可食用涂层能够延缓许多与品质损失相关的过程。疏水性脂质基涂层更适合用于新鲜水果和蔬菜。在欧盟，此类涂层用于带可食用果皮产品的审批正日益受到讨论。然而，关于各种可食用涂层对软皮水果和蔬菜功效的研究很少，目前尚不清楚消费者是否会接受它们。因此，本研究调查了（1）脂质基涂层的重要特性，以及（2）其保持新鲜黄瓜采后品质的能力。这通过在常见的次优零售条件（20°C；65%相对湿度）下的比较储存试验进行评估。该研究还评估了（3）消费者对在带可食用果皮的新鲜水果和蔬菜上应用可食用涂层的总体看法及其接受程度。所研究的涂层能够大幅降低新鲜黄瓜的水分流失（54 - 68%）和果实呼吸作用（约33%）。组织硬度的降低延迟了2天，从而延长了货架期。大多数消费者（77%）认可使用可食用涂层作为塑料包装的替代品，但强调了对它们的重要要求。
