Edible coatings enriched with essential oils and their compounds for fresh and fresh-cut fruit.
Fresh fruit and vegetables consumption has increased in the past few years due to the enhanced awareness of consumers for healthy food. However, these products are highly perishable, and losses can be of great significance if postharvest correct management is not provided. Fresh-cut products are of increasing importance, since they are presented to the consumer in a state that allows for direct and immediate consumption. However, those products are even more perishable since cutting can induce a series of senescence associated responses to wounding, and are more susceptible to microbial spoilage. Edible coatings, which intend to reduce ripening processes and protect the fruit from water loss and spoilage may be a good way to enhance the shelf life of these products. More recently, the inclusion of additives into these edible coatings to increase their effectiveness, such as essential oils and their constituents with antimicrobial and antioxidant activities, has been reported and patented.
Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade do Algarve, IBB-Centro de Biotecnologia Vegetal, Ed. 8, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal.
Maria D
MD
Antunes
Custodia M
CM
Gago
Ana M
AM
Cavaco
Maria G
MG
Miguel
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D016922:Cellular Senescence; D004032:Diet; D005516:Food Microbiology; D005519:Food Preservation; D005520:Food Preservatives; D005638:Fruit; D006801:Humans; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D010330:Patents as Topic; D014867:Water
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D005520:Food Preservatives; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D014867:Water