Modulation of oxidative metabolism and quality preservation of strawberries by a CMC –alginate bilayer edible coating during cold storage

BACKGROUND: Strawberries are highly perishable fruits characterized by rapid postharvest deterioration, leading to significant quality losses and reduced marketability. In this study, a bilayer edible coating based on carboxymethylcellulose and sodium alginate was evaluated for its ability to preserve strawberry quality during cold storage. METHODS: An integrated analytical approach combining physicochemical, colorimetric, biochemical, and enzymatic determinations with multivariate statistical analyses was adopted to investigate the physiological responses associated with fruit senescence. RESULTS: Compared to control fruit, coated strawberries exhibited reduced weight loss and higher firmness retention indicating a delay in ripening processes. The coating also increased the accumulation of bioactive compounds, leading to increased antioxidant activity. From a physiological perspective, coated fruit showed enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities and reduced oxidative damage, as confirmed by lower polyphenol oxidase, lipoxygenase, and malondialdehyde levels, suggesting improved membrane integrity and delayed senescence. ANOVA-simultaneous component analysis identified storage time as the major source of multivariate variation (61.99%), while treatment and the treatment × storage time interaction exerted significant, although less pronounced, effects on the physiological evolution of the fruit. Hierarchical clustering of the correlation matrix further highlighted coordinated relationships among antioxidant enzymes, oxidative damage markers, bioactive compounds, and quality-related traits, providing an integrated view of the mechanisms underlying strawberry postharvest deterioration. Overall, the carboxymethylcellulose-alginate edible coating effectively delayed senescence by modulating oxidative metabolism and preserving fruit quality during refrigerated storage. The combined application of conventional analytical measurements and multivariate statistical approaches provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the physiological mechanisms underlying edible coating performance. © 2026 The Author(s). Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.