Composite Coating Enriched with Lemon Peel Extract for Enhancing the Postharvest Quality of Cherry Tomatoes
Source abstract
Abstract
The present study investigated the efficacy of edible coatings formulated with gellan gum and lemon peel extract (LPE) in preserving the postharvest quality of cherry tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme). Selected fruits exhibiting uniform ripeness and free from defects were sanitized and coated with solutions containing different HAG/LAG (high- and low-acyl gellan gum) ratios, incorporating 4.0% (w/v) LPE. Physicochemical and physiological parameters, including soluble solids content, weight loss, pH, titratable acidity, oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide and ethylene production, skin redness (a*/b* ratio), and decay incidence, were systematically assessed under storage conditions of 25 °C and 70% relative humidity. HAG-coated fruits showed the lowest weight loss (1.08%), higher soluble solids (7.11 °Brix), and greater firmness (3.11 N/mm2) compared to uncoated controls. Moreover, they exhibited reduced oxygen consumption (0.06 mg·kg−1·h−1), ethylene production (3.10 mg·kg−1·h−1), and decay rate (2%). Redness was better preserved, and decay rates were substantially (p < 0.05) reduced throughout the storage period. These findings highlight the potential of HAG-based edible coatings enriched with LPE as an innovative postharvest technology to extend shelf life, maintain quality attributes, and reduce postharvest losses in cherry tomatoes.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Nanocomposite Films for Food Packaging · Postharvest Quality and Shelf Life Management · Plant Physiology and Cultivation Studies
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Food Packaging and Shelf-Life Research Group (FP&SL), Food Engineering Program, University of Cartagena, Cartagena de Indias 130015, Colombia
Chemistry Program, Department of Natural and Exact Sciences, University of Cartagena, San Pablo Campus, Cartagena 130015, Colombia
Department of Natural and Exact Science, Universidad de la Costa, Barranquilla 080002, Colombia
References (48)
Show source-provided references
1. Coatings Comprising Chitosan and Mentha piperita L. or Mentha × villosa Huds Essential Oils to Prevent Common Postharvest Mold Infections and Maintain the Quality of Cherry Tomato Fruit10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2015.08.009 ↗
2. Ministerio de Agricultura y Desarrollo Rural de Colombia (2024, July 24). Reporte: Área, Producción y Rendimiento Nacional por Cultivo (Tomate). Agronet 2024, Available online: https://www.agronet.gov.co/estadistica/Paginas/home.aspx?cod=1#.
3. Antagonistic activity of lactic acid bacteria against phytopathogenic fungi isolated from cherry tomato (Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme)10.1007/s00284-021-02416-w ↗
4. Determination of the Respiration Rate Parameters of Cherry Tomatoes and Their Joint Confidence Regions Using Closed Systems10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2017.02.026 ↗
5. Perspectives on the Evolution of Reefer Containers for Transporting Fresh Produce10.1016/j.tifs.2023.104147 ↗
6. Recent Advances in Modified Atmosphere Packaging and Edible Coatings to Maintain Quality of Fresh-Cut Fruits and Vegetables10.1080/10408398.2016.1211087 ↗
7. Edible Coating as Postharvest Management Strategy for Shelf-Life Extension of Fresh Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.): An Overview10.1111/1750-3841.16145 ↗
8. Control of Postharvest Decay on Cherry Tomatoes by Marine Yeast Rhodosporidium paludigenum and Calcium Chloride10.1111/j.1365-2672.2010.04693.x ↗
9. Multi-Functional Edible Coatings Tailored with Nanocellulose for Perishable Fruits10.1016/j.carbpol.2025.123520 ↗
10. Omics Analysis of the Ethylene Signal Transduction in Tomato as a Function of Storage Temperature10.1016/j.postharvbio.2019.04.016 ↗
11. Plant-Based Edible Coatings for Managing Postharvest Quality of Fresh Horticultural Produce: A Review10.1016/j.fpsl.2018.03.011 ↗
12. Active Packaging from Triticale Flour Films for Prolonging Storage Life of Cherry Tomato10.1016/j.fpsl.2020.100520 ↗
13. Rheological Characterization and Activation Energy Values of Binary Mixtures of Gellan10.1007/s00217-011-1626-2 ↗
14. Huang, H., Yan, W., Tan, S., Zhao, Y., Dong, H., Liao, W., Shi, P., Yang, X., and He, Q. (2024). Frontier in Gellan Gum-Based Micro-Capsules Obtained by Emulsification: Core-Shell Structure, Interaction Mechanism, Intervention Strategies. Int. J. Biol. Macromol., 272.10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.132697 ↗
15. González-Cuello, R.E., Mendoza-Nova, L., Rodríguez-Rodríguez, V.C., Hernández-Fernández, J., and Ortega-Toro, R. (2024). Composite Coatings of Gellan Gum and Inulin with Lactobacillus casei: Enhancing the Post-Harvest Quality of Guava. J. Compos. Sci., 8.10.3390/jcs8090353 ↗
16. Progress and Opportunities in Gellan Gum-Based Materials: A Review of Preparation, Characterization and Emerging Applications10.1016/j.carbpol.2023.120782 ↗
17. Nanoencapsulation of Hydrophobic and Low-Soluble Food Bioactive Compounds Within Different Nanocarriers10.1016/j.foodhyd.2018.10.003 ↗
18. González-Cuello, R., Fuentes, L.G., Castellanos, H.M., Hernández-Fernández, J., and Ortega-Toro, R. (2024). Composite Coatings with Liposomes of Melissa officinalis Extract for Extending Tomato Shelf Life. J. Compos. Sci., 8.10.3390/jcs8070283 ↗
19. Magalhães, D., Vilas-Boas, A.A., Teixeira, P., and Pintado, M. (2023). Functional Ingredients and Additives from Lemon By-Products and Their Applications in Food Preservation: A Review. Foods, 12.10.3390/foods12051095 ↗
20. Characterization of Phenolic Profile and Antioxidant Capacity of Different Fruit Parts from Lemon (Citrus limon Burm.) Cultivars10.1007/s13197-017-2544-5 ↗
21. An Advance on Nutritional Profile, Phytochemical Profile, Nutraceutical Properties, and Potential Industrial Applications of Lemon Peels: A Comprehensive Review10.1016/j.tifs.2022.04.019 ↗
22. Effect of a Pectin Edible Coating with Lemon Peel Extract to Maintain Strawberry Fruit’s Quality During Cold Storage10.1016/j.foohum.2025.100541 ↗
23. AOAC (1990). Official Methods of Analysis, Association of Official Analytical Chemists. [15th ed.].
24. Chen, K., Tian, R., Xu, G., Wu, K., Liu, Y., and Jiang, F. (2023). Characterizations of Konjac Glucomannan/Curdlan Edible Coatings and the Preservation Effect on Cherry Tomatoes. Int. J. Biol. Macromol., 232.10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.123359 ↗
25. Influence of Edible Coatings on Physiological and Biochemical Attributes of Japanese Plum (Prunus salicina Lindell cv. Santa Rosa)10.17660/th2018/73.1.4 ↗
26. Improving Postharvest Quality and Antioxidant Capacity of Sweet Cherry Fruit by Storage at Near-Freezing Temperature10.1016/j.scienta.2018.10.054 ↗
27. Flores-López, M.L., Vieira, J.M., Rocha, C.M.R., Lagarón, J.M., Cerqueira, M.A., Jasso De Rodríguez, D., and Vicente, A.A. (2023). Postharvest Quality Improvement of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) Fruit Using a Nanomultilayer Coating Containing Aloe Vera. Foods, 13.10.3390/foods13010083 ↗
28. Effect of Aloe vera Gel Coating Enriched with Fagonia indica Plant Extract on Physicochemical and Antioxidant Activity of Sapodilla Fruit During Postharvest Storage10.1016/j.foodchem.2019.01.135 ↗
29. Effect of Antifungal Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose-Beeswax Edible Coatings on Gray Mold Development and Quality Attributes of Cold-Stored Cherry Tomato Fruit10.1016/j.postharvbio.2014.01.006 ↗
30. Li, Y., Zhou, Y., Wang, Z., Cai, R., Tian, L., and Cui, L. (2021). Preparation and Characterization of Chitosan–Nano-ZnO Composite Films for Preservation of Cherry Tomatoes. Foods, 10.10.3390/foods10123135 ↗
31. Use of an Exopolysaccharide-Based Edible Coating and Lactic Acid Bacteria with Antifungal Activity to Preserve the Postharvest Quality of Cherry Tomato10.1016/j.lwt.2021.112225 ↗
32. Development of Functional Gelatin-Based Composite Films Incorporating Oil-in-Water Lavender Essential Oil Nano-Emulsions: Effects on Physicochemical Properties and Cherry Tomatoes Preservation10.1016/j.lwt.2021.110987 ↗
33. Influence of Rice Bran Wax Coating on the Physicochemical Properties and Pectin Nanostructure of Cherry Tomatoes10.1007/s11947-016-1820-0 ↗
34. Influence of Maturity and Storage Period on Physical and Biochemical Characteristics of Pear During Post Cold Storage at Ambient Conditions10.1007/s13197-014-1620-3 ↗
35. Improvement of Post-Harvest Quality of Pear Fruit with Optimized Composite Edible Coating Formulations10.1007/s13197-017-2850-y ↗
36. Recent Advances on Polysaccharides, Lipids and Protein Based Edible Films and Coatings: A Review10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2017.11.097 ↗
37. Effect of Active Modified Atmosphere and Cold Storage on the Postharvest Quality of Cherry Tomatoes10.1016/j.postharvbio.2015.05.017 ↗
38. Effect of Hyperbaric Pressure and Temperature on Respiration Rates and Quality Attributes of Tomato10.1016/j.postharvbio.2013.07.002 ↗
39. Influence of Drying Temperature and Storage Period on the Quality of Cherry and Plum Tomato Powder10.1002/fsn3.658 ↗
40. Gum Arabic as a Novel Edible Coating for Enhancing Shelf-Life and Improving Postharvest Quality of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) Fruit10.1016/j.postharvbio.2010.05.005 ↗
41. Supercritical Impregnation of Olive Leaf Extract to Obtain Bioactive Films Effective in Cherry Tomato Preservation10.1016/j.fpsl.2019.100338 ↗
42. Effect of oligosaccharides derived from Laminaria japonica-incorporated pullulan coatings on preservation of cherry tomatoes10.1016/j.foodchem.2015.12.029 ↗
43. Barreto, T.A., Andrade, S.C.A., Maciel, J.F., Arcanjo, N.M.O., Madruga, M.S., Meireles, B., Cordeiro, A.M.T., Souza, E.L., and Magnani, M. (2016). A Chitosan Coating Containing Essential Oil from Origanum vulgare L. to Control Postharvest Mold Infections and Keep the Quality of Cherry Tomato Fruit. Front. Microbiol., 7.10.3389/fmicb.2016.01724 ↗
44. Application of SiOx-Coated Poly (ε-caprolactone) Film for Preservation of Cherry Tomato
45. Influence of Edible Multilayer Coatings with Opuntia stenopetala Polysaccharides and Flourensia microphylla Extract on the Shelf-Life of Cherry Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)10.1016/j.scienta.2024.113224 ↗
46. Application of Edible Nanolaminate Coatings with Antimicrobial Extract of Flourensia cernua to Extend the Shelf-Life of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) Fruit10.1016/j.postharvbio.2018.12.008 ↗
47. Edible Coating Using a Chitosan-Based Colloid Incorporating Grapefruit Seed Extract for Cherry Tomato Safety and Preservation
48. Study on the Efficiency of Ethylene Scavengers on the Maintenance of Postharvest Quality of Tomato Fruit10.1007/s11694-017-9682-3 ↗