Effectiveness of protective edible coatings to extend shelf lives of fresh fruits and vegetables

Abstract

Synthetic films are an effective measure to preserve fresh fruits and vegetables, but such films pollute the environment. At the same time, extension of shelf lives of fresh fruit and vegetables is necessary to minimize food waste, which annually accounts for about a third of the manufactured products. Protective edible coatings allow one to solve these both problems. Edible coatings are based on natural polysaccharides, proteins, their mixtures, glycerol, pectin, and beeswax, which make them strong, but do not prevent them from biodegradation or composting. Since protective edible coatings can be supplemented with vitamins, flavorings, and dyes, these additionally allow for improvement of the qualities and nutritional values of fresh fruits and vegetables.