New Approaches for Monitoring Edible Coating Quality Using Hyperspectral Imaging (HSI) and Chemometrics

Abstract Preserving fruit quality after harvest presents a major challenge for the food industry, and edible coatings are increasingly proposed as sustainable alternatives to synthetic packaging materials. This work offers a concise review of recent advances in edible coatings for fruit preservation, along with an experimental demonstration of near-infrared hyperspectral imaging (NIR-HSI) as a non-destructive method to assess coating effectiveness during storage. A bibliometric analysis and review of literature from 2020 to 2025 show a rising focus on polysaccharide- and protein-based coatings enriched with natural additives to improve barrier and antimicrobial properties. Additionally, an example is presented involving strawberries coated with an edible formulation of cassava starch, cellulose, and oregano essential oil, monitored over a ten-day period using NIR-HSI (996–2505 nm). Multivariate analysis (principal component analysis (PCA), K-means clustering (K-means), multivariate curve resolution – alternating least squares (MCR-ALS), and partial least squares – discriminant analysis (PLS-DA)), was applied to characterize coating integrity and fruit deterioration over time and across sample surface. The results show that NIR-HSI effectively distinguishes between coated and uncoated samples, measures moisture loss, and tracks enzymatic browning, with spectral changes closely linked to storage duration. The study underscores the potential of NIR-HSI as a promising approach for real-time, noninvasive monitoring of fruit freshness and edible coating, providing valuable insights for sustainable postharvest management and smart packaging solutions.