Application of chitosan‐based apple peel polyphenols edible coating on the preservation of strawberry ( Fragaria ananassa cv Hongyan) fruit

This study was determined to investigate the efficacy of chitosan (CS)‐based apple peel polyphenols (APP) composite coatings to enhance the storage quality of strawberries. Strawberries were coated with CS‐APP1 (0.25% APP), CS‐APP2 (0.50%), CS‐APP3 (0.75%), CS‐APP4 (1.0%), and stored at 20°C and 35–40% RH. The uncoated fruit was considered as control. The fruits were evaluated for weight loss, decay, firmness, bioactive compounds, titratable acidity, and total soluble solids (TSS). The results revealed that CS‐APP coatings had a significant effect on all the tested parameters. The weight loss and decay percentage were reduced to 10.91% and 19%, respectively, in the CS‐APP4 treatment group. The highest value of TSS (6.8%) was observed in the CS‐APP3 treatment group on the 6th day of storage. Coatings with CS‐APP4 exhibited the maximum acid content (0.78 g/100 g) as compared to the CS only (0.68 g/100 g). The total phenol content was highest (1.3 mg/g) in the CS‐APP2 treatment group at the end of storage. CS‐APP2 composite coating could be effectively utilized to extend the postharvest life of strawberries as it retarded the senescence and maintained quality attributes of the fruits during storage. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Strawberry is a nutritionally rich fruit. However, it has a short shelf‐life and can deteriorate quickly. Chitosan (CS) is a biopolymer that is widely used for the application of edible coating with different antioxidant agents. Although apple fruit peel is discarded as industrial waste, yet it is a good source of polyphenols and natural antioxidants. Chitosan‐based APP edible coating can be used to prolong the postharvest life of strawberry as well as to minimize food processing industrial waste by utilizing apple peel as an antioxidant ingredient.