Antifungal edible coatings to reduce postharvest decay and preserve the quality of ‘Mollar de Elche’ pomegranates

Pomegranate exhibits important postharvest quality losses that limit its storage potential, caused mainly by weight loss, chilling injury, and fungal diseases. In this work, the effect of antifungal edible coatings (AECs) formulated with different biopolymers (citrus pectin (PEC), λ-carrageenan (CAR...

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Main Authors: Palou, Lluís, Alvarez, María Victoria, Taberner, Verónica, Pérez-Gago, María B.
Format: Objeto de conferencia
Language:Inglés
Published: 2025
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11939/9089
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author Palou, Lluís
Alvarez, María Victoria
Taberner, Verónica
Pérez-Gago, María B.
author_browse Alvarez, María Victoria
Palou, Lluís
Pérez-Gago, María B.
Taberner, Verónica
author_facet Palou, Lluís
Alvarez, María Victoria
Taberner, Verónica
Pérez-Gago, María B.
author_sort Palou, Lluís
collection ReDivia
description Pomegranate exhibits important postharvest quality losses that limit its storage potential, caused mainly by weight loss, chilling injury, and fungal diseases. In this work, the effect of antifungal edible coatings (AECs) formulated with different biopolymers (citrus pectin (PEC), λ-carrageenan (CARG), and their combination PEC-CARG), beeswax (BW) as hydrophobic component, and 0.5% essential oils [EOs, cinnamon (CN) or lemongrass (LG)] as antifungal ingredients were evaluated to control weight loss and natural fungal decay of ‘Mollar de Elche’ pomegranates during storage at ambient temperatures (20°C). Results showed that PEC-based AECs were the most effective in reducing pomegranate decay caused by latent infections by Botrytis cinerea and wound infections by Penicillium spp. During 8 weeks of storage, with no significant differences between coatings formulated with CN or LG EOs. Furthermore, PEC-based coatings also reduced weight loss without causing visible phytotoxicity, while CARG-based coatings were slightly detrimental to the fruit rind. Afterwards, selected AECs were assayed to control natural decay and preserve fruit quality of pomegranates stored at 5°C for 12 weeks plus 1 week of shelf life at 20°C. PEC-based coatings were confirmed as an effective means to reduce weight loss and prevent fruit shriveling of cold-stored pomegranates without negatively affecting the fruit's physicochemical and sensory quality. However, no significant differences in latent and wound external decay were found between control and coated fruits after cold storage and shelf life. In conclusion, PEC-based coatings containing CN or LG EOs at 0.5% could be a promising treatment to extend the postharvest life of ‘Mollar de Elche’ pomegranates, although further studies are required to improve their antifungal effect during cold storage.
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spelling ReDivia90892025-10-08T17:50:34Z Antifungal edible coatings to reduce postharvest decay and preserve the quality of ‘Mollar de Elche’ pomegranates Palou, Lluís Alvarez, María Victoria Taberner, Verónica Pérez-Gago, María B. Overall fruit Q02 Food processing and preservation Punica granatum Essential oils Postharvest diseases Edible coatings Pomegranate exhibits important postharvest quality losses that limit its storage potential, caused mainly by weight loss, chilling injury, and fungal diseases. In this work, the effect of antifungal edible coatings (AECs) formulated with different biopolymers (citrus pectin (PEC), λ-carrageenan (CARG), and their combination PEC-CARG), beeswax (BW) as hydrophobic component, and 0.5% essential oils [EOs, cinnamon (CN) or lemongrass (LG)] as antifungal ingredients were evaluated to control weight loss and natural fungal decay of ‘Mollar de Elche’ pomegranates during storage at ambient temperatures (20°C). Results showed that PEC-based AECs were the most effective in reducing pomegranate decay caused by latent infections by Botrytis cinerea and wound infections by Penicillium spp. During 8 weeks of storage, with no significant differences between coatings formulated with CN or LG EOs. Furthermore, PEC-based coatings also reduced weight loss without causing visible phytotoxicity, while CARG-based coatings were slightly detrimental to the fruit rind. Afterwards, selected AECs were assayed to control natural decay and preserve fruit quality of pomegranates stored at 5°C for 12 weeks plus 1 week of shelf life at 20°C. PEC-based coatings were confirmed as an effective means to reduce weight loss and prevent fruit shriveling of cold-stored pomegranates without negatively affecting the fruit's physicochemical and sensory quality. However, no significant differences in latent and wound external decay were found between control and coated fruits after cold storage and shelf life. In conclusion, PEC-based coatings containing CN or LG EOs at 0.5% could be a promising treatment to extend the postharvest life of ‘Mollar de Elche’ pomegranates, although further studies are required to improve their antifungal effect during cold storage. 2025-10-08T17:50:33Z 2025-10-08T17:50:33Z 2025 conferenceObject Palou, L., Alvarez, M.V., Taberner, V., Pérez-Gago, M. B. 2025. Antifungal edible coatings to reduce postharvest decay and preserve the quality of ‘Mollar de Elche’ pomegranates. Libro de Resúmenes VI International Symposium on Pomegranate and Minor Mediterranean Fruits, Bari, Italia, p. 29. https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11939/9089 en 2025-09-22 VI International Symposium on Pomegranate and Minor Mediterranean Fruits Bari (Italia) openAccess electronico
spellingShingle Overall fruit
Q02 Food processing and preservation
Punica granatum
Essential oils
Postharvest diseases
Edible coatings
Palou, Lluís
Alvarez, María Victoria
Taberner, Verónica
Pérez-Gago, María B.
Antifungal edible coatings to reduce postharvest decay and preserve the quality of ‘Mollar de Elche’ pomegranates
title Antifungal edible coatings to reduce postharvest decay and preserve the quality of ‘Mollar de Elche’ pomegranates
title_full Antifungal edible coatings to reduce postharvest decay and preserve the quality of ‘Mollar de Elche’ pomegranates
title_fullStr Antifungal edible coatings to reduce postharvest decay and preserve the quality of ‘Mollar de Elche’ pomegranates
title_full_unstemmed Antifungal edible coatings to reduce postharvest decay and preserve the quality of ‘Mollar de Elche’ pomegranates
title_short Antifungal edible coatings to reduce postharvest decay and preserve the quality of ‘Mollar de Elche’ pomegranates
title_sort antifungal edible coatings to reduce postharvest decay and preserve the quality of mollar de elche pomegranates
topic Overall fruit
Q02 Food processing and preservation
Punica granatum
Essential oils
Postharvest diseases
Edible coatings
url https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11939/9089
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