Packaging Science and Art

Packaging Science and Art

Investigating the Impact of Novel Gelatin-Cellulose Nanocrystal Coatings Containing Cinnamon Essential Oil on the Shelf Life of ‘Golden Delicious’ Apples

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
mehdi Panahyankivi 1
Abazar Abbasi 2
Saied Alipour 1
1 Assistant Professor, Department of Agriculture, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran.
2 Instructor, Department of Agriculture, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran.
10.47176/packaging.2026.1250
Abstract
This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of emulsion-based coatings formulated with bacterial cellulose nanocrystals (BCNCs) and gelatin (GelA), containing cinnamon essential oil (CEO) at three concentration levels (1200, 1800, and 2400 µL/L), on the ripening and senescence processes of Golden Delicious apples during cold storage (60 days at 4 °C). The results showed that application of the coatings significantly reduced fruit weight loss compared with uncoated samples, decreasing it from approximately 14.68% to about 8.89% in the treatment containing 2400 µL/L cinnamon essential oil. In addition, increasing the concentration of cinnamon essential oil showed a direct relationship with respiration rate and ethylene production. Coated samples at all concentration levels exhibited higher flesh firmness than the control samples, with the highest firmness observed at 2400 µL/L cinnamon essential oil (18.23 N at 2400 µL/L compared with 16.69 N at 1200 µL/L after 60 days). This trend was consistent with the changes observed in indices such as titratable acidity, soluble solids content, pH, ascorbic acid content, and the activities of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD) enzymes. Overall, the use of BCNCs–GelA/CEO coating systems preserved the physicochemical quality of apples, controlled the senescence process, and extended their shelf life under cold storage conditions. The findings of this study indicate that the application of such coatings can be an effective strategy for enhancing postharvest longevity and reducing economic losses along the fresh fruit supply chain.
Keywords
Cinnamon Essential Oil
Edible Coating
Apple
Shelf-life
Subjects

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Packaging Science and Art
Volume 16, Issue 63 - Serial Number 63
Serial number 63, autumn 2025
Summer 2025
Pages 75-92

  • Receive Date 20 November 2025
  • Revise Date 06 December 2025
  • Accept Date 16 December 2025
  • Publish Date 21 December 2025