Incorporating carboxymethyl cellulose into microfibrillated cellulose for barrier coating to delay banana browning...

Postharvest fruit losses can be 25-50 %. This study is to develop a microfibrillated cellulose (MFC)-based low-cost barrier coating technology to extend banana shelf life and decrease postharvest losses. The coating performance of MFC adding carboxymethyl cellulose (MFC/CMC) on banana was evaluated by monitoring banana peel appearance/color browning, weight loss, firmness, and total soluble solids (TSS) at the ambient condition. The results showed that MFC/CMC coating with the addition of a proper amount of CMC could effectively delay banana browning by 2 days and decrease weight loss over 30 % compared with control. When using aqueous suspensions of MFC/CMC with concentration (wt%) ratio of 0.55:0.05 for coating, banana ripening process was not slowed with respect to banana browning, in other words, MFC/CMC (0.55:0.05) coating delayed peel browning by 2 days, it also simultaneously decreased softening. This work has potential for developing a low-cost and plant-based coating material to extend fruit shelf life.