Modified SiO₂@cinnamaldehyde/nanocellulose coating film for loquat preservation

Although cinnamaldehyde (CA) is an excellent antimicrobial agent, its application in the food industry was limited by its volatility and lack of antimicrobial persistence. Herein, aminated hollow mesoporous silica (NH₂-HMSN) was prepared by selective etching and amino-modified. Subsequently, long-acting antibacterials with regulated release (NH₂-HMSN@CA) were obtained by using NH₂-HMSN as cinnamaldehyde carrier. NH₂-HMSN@CA can effectively regulate the release of CA, and has 100 % inhibition effect on the growth of E. coli, S. aureus and C. acutatum. In addition, nanocellulose/NH₂-HMSN@CA (CHA) coating film was prepared for postharvest preservation of loquat. The coating film effectively improved the storage quality and shelf life of loquat, and delayed the postharvest decay of loquat. The prepared coating film active packaging for long-term preservation is expected to provide a scheme for promoting sustainable preservation of postharvest loquat.