Systematic Review on Postharvest Technologies to Enhance Shelf Life of Tropical Fruits
Abstract
Tropical fruits are highly perishable commodities due to their high moisture content, rapid respiration rate, and susceptibility to microbial spoilage, resulting in significant postharvest losses. This study aims to systematically evaluate the effectiveness of edible coating technologies in extending shelf life and maintaining the postharvest quality of tropical fruits. A systematic review approach was conducted following PRISMA guidelines, using literature sourced from major scientific databases including Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, PubMed, and Google Scholar. The findings indicate that edible coatings can be classified into polysaccharide-, protein-, lipid-based, composite, and nanoemulsion systems, each exhibiting distinct functional properties. Overall, edible coatings effectively reduce weight loss, maintain firmness, delay the increase in total soluble solids (°Brix), preserve titratable acidity, retain bioactive compounds such as vitamin C and phenolics, and inhibit microbial growth. Among these, chitosan-based and composite coatings demonstrate superior multifunctional performance. The effectiveness of edible coatings is further enhanced when combined with cold storage or modified atmosphere packaging (MAP). However, no single coating formulation is universally optimal, as its performance depends on fruit type, coating composition, application method, and storage conditions. Despite challenges related to formulation, consumer acceptance, and regulation, edible coating technology shows strong potential as a sustainable and eco-friendly postharvest solution for tropical fruits.
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