Cellulosic sol barrier coating for nonclimacteric star apple ( Chrysophyllum cainito L.) preservation
| Authors: | Jing Geng, Jonathan H. Crane, Peter Kitin, Yuncong C. Li, Nicole M. Stark, Xiao Zhang, Junyong Zhu |
| Year: | 2026 |
| Type: | Scientific Journal |
| Station: | Forest Products Laboratory |
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.1039/d6fb00169f |
| Source: | Sustainable Food Technology |
Abstract
This study demonstrated the great performance of a surfactant free cellulose-based sol barrier coating for extending the shelf life of a non-climacteric fruit – star apple (Chrysophyllum cainito L.). Microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) produced from a bleached kraft hardwood pulp and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) were mixed to form an aqueous sol for barrier coating. Dip coated star apples were evaluated for weight loss, external visual appearance of the pericarp and internal pulp quality in terms of dryness and color, pericarp firmness, and fruit pulp total dissolved solids. The results indicated that coating with CMC substitution for MFC improved fruit freshness and shelf life by at least 12 days. No respiration-limit induced star apple spoilage was observed even at 40% CMC substitution. The coating also significantly decreased fruit weight loss by up to 40% over two weeks of storage. Respiration measurements indicated that star apples, though non-climacteric, exhibited a postharvest ethylene surge associated with the decay of the fruit rather than ripening observed in climacteric fruits. Barrier coatings especially with high CMC substitution substantially delayed and decreased ethylene production and extended shelf life.
Sustainability spotlight This study developed a renewable plant cellulose-based formulation consisting of microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) for barrier coating to extend the shelf-life of a tropical non-climacteric fruit – star apple. By decreasing post-harvest fruit spoilage, the barrier coating facilitates meeting the United Nations sustainability goal (SDG) 12.3. Compared with commercial refrigeration fruit preservation, the MFC/CMC barrier coating saves electricity to decrease environmental impact. Compared with literature methods using petroleum derived surfactants and/or nanoscale cellulose materials through extensive chemical and mechanical processing, the MFC/CMC formulation is more sustainable due to its low energy input for fibrillation and free of petroleum chemicals and chemical processing (SDG 13, Climate Actions).