Photodynamically activated chlorogenic acid-based antimicrobial packaging films for cherry preservation

Natural photosensitizers offer promising and sustainable solutions to the challenges of food preservation. This study investigates the potential of chlorogenic acid (CA), a naturally occurring phenolic compound with dual photoactive and antimicrobial properties. Under Xenon lamp irradiation (100 mW/cm²), CA at a concentration of 0.5 mg/mL demonstrated significant antimicrobial efficacy against both Staphylococcus aureus (10⁶ CFU/mL) and Escherichia coli (10⁵ CFU/mL). To enhance the practical applicability of CA for cherry preservation, CA was incorporated into agar (AG) films, which exhibited superior physicochemical and mechanical properties, including increased tensile strength and improved gas permeability. Implementation of CA-AG films prolonged the storage duration of cherries by 9 days through effective quality retention and suppression of microbial contamination. This research highlights the potential of CA as an environmentally friendly and functional solution for advanced food preservation technologies.