Edible coatings for shelf-life enhancement of agricultural products

Technology overview

Postharvest losses account for 40–60% of fresh produce globally, driven by microbial decay and mechanical damage.  

This technology provides an edible chitosan-based coating formulation for extending the shelf life and maintaining the quality of fresh agricultural produce. The coating is designed to reduce moisture loss and microbial deterioration, particularly under high-humidity conditions. 

The formulation uses natural, biodegradable materials and food-compatible ingredients, providing a sustainable alternative to conventional synthetic coatings. It can be applied by spraying and has potential for both pre-harvest and post-harvest applications. 

Technology features

• Improved water resistance to support coating performance under humid conditions.  

• Antimicrobial activity against selected foodborne microorganisms.  

• Demonstrated shelf-life extension: Application to cherry tomatoes delayed skin wrinkling, reduced mass loss, and extended marketability by approximately one week compared with untreated produce.  

• Natural and biodegradable formulation based on chitosan and food-compatible ingredients.  

• Sprayable formulation suitable for practical agricultural and postharvest applications.  

• Adaptable to different produce types through formulation optimisation. 

Potential applications

• Fresh fruit and vegetable preservation  

• Pre-harvest and post-harvest treatment  

• Sustainable food packaging  

• Preservation of other perishable agricultural products  

• Functional edible coating applications 

Benefits

• Extends the shelf life and marketability of fresh produce.  

• Provides a natural and biodegradable alternative to conventional synthetic coatings.  

• Suitable for pre-harvest and post-harvest applications.  

• Offers a flexible platform that can be adapted for different agricultural products. 

Commercialisation

The technology is available for licensing and technology transfer.

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