Cellulose nanocrystals Pickering emulsion incorporated chitosan coatings for improving storability of postharvest Bartlett pears (Pyrus communis) during long-term cold storage

Abstract Cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) Pickering emulsion was prepared and incorporated into chitosan (CH) coatings (CH-PCNC, 0.1% CNC/3% oleic acid/2% CH) for improving hydrophobicity of coatings on Bartlett pears during long-term cold storage (1.7 °C and 90% RH). FTIR analysis of CH-PCNC films stored at both 43% and 83% RH showed no large absorption band at ∼3300–3400 cm−1 (–OH stretching), whereas that of CNC reinforced CH film (CH-CNC) stored at 83% RH exhibited a large increase compared to film stored at 43% RH. Water vapor permeability (0.06 g mm/m2·d·Pa) of CH-PCNC film was significantly (P