Characterizations of Water-Soluble Chitosan/Curdlan Edible Coatings and the Inhibitory Effect on Postharvest Pathogenic Fungi

Abstract

This study focused on developing a composite coating comprising water-soluble chitosan (CTS) and curdlan (CUR). Cherry tomatoes served as the test material for assessing the preservative efficacy of these coatings. The incorporation of CUR markedly enhanced the coating’s surface properties, refined its molecular structure, and improved its tensile strength and elongation at break. Additionally, the coating demonstrated enhanced permeability to water vapor, oxygen, and carbon dioxide and improved light transmission. The storage experiment, conducted at 25 ± 1 °C with a relative humidity of approximately 92% over 10 days, revealed that the CTS/CUR composite coating at a 1:1 ratio significantly outperformed the individual CTS or CUR coating and uncoated samples in maintaining the quality of postharvest cherry tomatoes. The 1:1 CTS/CUR composite coating demonstrated superior preservative effects. This study suggested that water-soluble chitosan/curdlan composite coatings have considerable potential for use in the preservation of postharvest fruits and vegetables.