Sustainable postharvest approach using starch-based edible coatings to control anthracnose in ‘Palmer’ mangoes

Given the high consumption of mangoes in their natural state, postharvest disease management is important for protecting and ensuring a stable supply. The effect of applying lemongrass essential oil (EO) emulsion incorporated into edible cassava starch coatings on the development of anthracnose and on in vivo postharvest quality parameters in mangoes ‘Palmer’ stored at room temperature (24 °C) and refrigerated (12 °C) was evaluated in this study. The in vivo assays demonstrated that the coatings effectively preserved the fruits’ physical and chemical properties. The starch coating, supplemented with an EO emulsion (0.9%), was effective in delaying the development of anthracnose in both storage conditions, demonstrating the antifungal effect of EO. In this study, lemongrass essential oil, encapsulated in an oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion, was able to reduce the development of anthracnose in mangoes ‘Palmer’ over 21 days of cold storage (12 ± 2 °C). These findings indicate that bioactive starch-based coatings provide a sustainable and effective strategy for postharvest control of anthracnose. Combined with refrigeration, this approach contributes to delayed ripening and extended shelf life, maintaining the superior quality of ‘Palmer’ mangoes.