Grafted modified chitosan/pullulan film loaded with essential oil/β-CD-MOFs for freshness preservation of peach

In response to the rapid quality degradation of peaches due to post-harvest decay, this study developed a composite film for preservation. Two primary pathogens responsible for peach decay, Aspergillus flavus and Talaromyces funiculosus, were identified. Molecular docking attributed to the main binding position of citral and geraniol's interactions with type I polyketide synthase on their antifungal effects, as well as the caffeic acid with its tyrosinase on antioxidant efficacy. β-CD-MOFs were synthesized via vapor diffusion, demonstrating exceptional spatial loading via SEM. CEOs (citral + geraniol) encapsulated in β-CD-MOFs were incorporated into a chitosan/pullulan matrix, yielding a film with 260.27 % fracture tensile strain, significantly (P < 0.001) outperforming pure chitosan (21.87 %), possessing excellent mechanical properties, and the improvement in the water solubility of the film facilitates the release of active compounds. The utilization of a compositel film on peaches has shown significant efficacy in controlling decay index (P < 0.05), weight loss (P < 0.05), firmness (P < 0.05) and production of malondialdehyde (P < 0.05). Compared to untreated controls, the treated peaches exhibited an extended shelf life of 2 days, highlighting the superior preservation capabilities of the film. Hence, the film presents a promising solution for fruit preservation.