Effectiveness of 1‐Methylcyclopropene Coated Paper–Based Shellac Solution During Postharvest Treatment of ‘Orin’ Apples as Functional Packaging for Extending Shelf Life

ABSTRACT Reducing postharvest food loss is a global priority that aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Apples are highly perishable climacteric fruits, and their quality rapidly declines due to ethylene‐mediated ripening. This study investigated paper coated with a 1‐methylcyclopropene/α‐cyclodextrin (1‐MCP/α‐CD) inclusion complex (IC) powder as a humidity‐responsive, controlled‐release packaging system for ‘Orin’ apples. Apples were stored at 4°C for 15 days followed by 20°C for 15 days. The release kinetics of 1‐MCP were evaluated using a glass container model and expanded polystyrene (EPS) boxes and described by a two‐compartment model. Apples packaged with IC powder–coated paper showed reduced ethylene production and improved firmness retention compared with untreated controls. In EPS boxes, apples treated with 100 mg IC powder produced no detectable ethylene, while control fruit produced 136 nL g −1 FW h −1 . Flesh firmness increased from 40 N in the controls to 45 N with 30 mg IC powder. Humidity‐triggered release rapidly increased 1‐MCP concentration to 320 μL L −1 in a 1.19‐L glass container ( α = 0.419 h −1 ; β = 0.108 h −1 ), whereas EPS boxes exhibited strong gas retention ( β = 0.00397 h −1 ). During storage at 20°C, ethylene accumulation was reduced from 450 μL L −1 in controls to 100 μL L −1 with 30 mg IC powder after 15 days, and browning incidence decreased from 63% to 18%. These results demonstrate that IC powder–coated paper, particularly when combined with EPS packaging, is an effective controlled‐release system for extending apple shelf life and maintaining postharvest quality.