Comparative evaluation of chitosan and Sterculia foetida gum-based edible coatings containing Glinus oppositifolius extract for shelf-life extension

Abstract

Fresh fruits are highly vulnerable to postharvest losses caused by moisture loss, microbial growth, and oxidative deterioration. This study developed active edible coatings based on Sterculia foetida gum (SFG) incorporated with Glinus oppositifolius extract (GOE) and compared their performance with chitosan-based coatings. Coating solutions containing 1-5% GOE were evaluated for antioxidant and antibacterial activities, and their effects on green jujubes quality during storage were assessed through weight loss, sugar content, and vitamin C retention. The addition of GOE increased the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of both coating solutions, particularly at higher concentrations. SFG-based coatings performed similarly to chitosan-based coatings, despite the slightly higher antioxidant and antimicrobial activities observed in the latter. Notably, SFG-GOE 5% reduced weight loss to 17.64%, limited sugar accumulation to 24.84 μg glucose/g, and preserved the highest vitamin C content (231.0 mg/100 g), outperforming the uncoated control and achieving results comparable to those of chitosan coatings after 7 days of storage. These findings suggest that S. foetida gum is an effective biodegradable carrier for natural bioactive compounds and a promising plant-derived alternative to chitosan for developing sustainable edible coatings that enhance the shelf life and nutritional quality of fresh fruits.