Evaluating the Efficacy of Rosemary Essential Oil (REO)-Infused Biodegradable Dry-Wraps for Long-Term Post-Harvest Preservation of Organic Apples

Post-harvest fungal decay and texture degradation represent major sources of waste in the organic apple supply chain, underscoring the need for novel, chemical-free preservation technologies. This study investigates the efficacy of a biodegradable paper wrap infused with cold-pressed rosemary essential oil (REO) as a volatile delivery system for natural antimicrobial and antioxidant compounds. The working hypothesis posits that volatile REO constituents, diffused from the infused wrap, will significantly reduce fungal decay incidence and severity while maintaining fruit firmness relative to an untreated control over a 90-day cold storage period. A two-group, repeated-measures Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) was developed to evaluate microbial suppression, physicochemical parameters, and sensory quality retention. The anticipated outcomes aim to demonstrate the feasibility of a scalable, vegan, and environmentally sustainable approach to organic fruit preservation, offering an innovative pathway toward waste reduction and enhanced shelf life in the organic produce sector.