Composite Alginate–Ginger Oil Edible Coating for Fresh-Cut Pears

Abstract

Fresh-cut fruit is highly perishable due to damage to its external protective skin leading to the acceleration of chemical and biochemical activities, respiration rate, ethylene production, texture softening and moisture loss. Edible films and coatings can provide effective barrier properties to control respiration and transpiration of produce. Sodium alginate and ginger oil have been successfully employed as coating materials in several studies. This study focused on evaluating the effect of composite alginate and ginger-essential-oil-based edible coatings for controlling physiological and microbiological activity in fresh-cut pear during refrigerated storage. A 2% sodium alginate solution with 0.5% ginger oil as a herbal antimicrobial agent was used as coating material and a 2% calcium chloride dip was used for cross linking and firming. Coated cut fruit and control cut fruit were sealed in plastic containers and stored at 4 °C for two weeks. Respiration rate, color, texture, moisture loss and other quality parameters were evaluated during the storage. The coated fruit (both with and without ginger oil) had significantly better retention of product quality with no microbial spoilage up to 15 days as compared to the control fruit which spoiled within a week. The sodium alginate–ginger oil–calcium alginate formulation was recommended as a good composite coating for extending the refrigerated shelf-life of cut pears.