Enhancing mango shelf life through natural preservation: Investigating the efficacy of polysaccharide edible coating and leaf extracts

A sustainable solution to prevent the waste of fruits and vegetables from spoilage is the use of edible coatings or films. This research project aimed to create a fresh coating recipe that could effectively extend the shelf life of mangoes. The coating was composed of chitosan, glycerol, and gum Arabic mixed with the extract obtained from the extraction of Cleistocalyx operculatus plant. The prepared exact has a total polyphenol content of 17% and showed potent free radical scavenging abilities in a dose-dependent manner. The chitosan/gum Arabic/Glycerol/extract edible coatings were analyzed using SEM and FTIR spectroscopy, revealing a smooth and uniform coating with a well-integration of components. Coating the mangoes with this formulation resulted in significant improvements in their appearance, brightness, weight loss, firmness, titratable acidity, and CO₂ respiration rate compared to uncoated samples. The optimal concentration of the extract in the coating was determined to be 0.25% w/w for the best protective performance. After 21-day storage at room temperature, uncoated mangoes were found to be rotten, while coated mangoes remained fresh.