Chitosan/PVA/Gelatin Derived Biodegradable Coatings Enriched with Rosa rubiginosa for Extended Shelf Life and Preservation of Strawberries

Abstract

This work is based on assessing polymeric films used as coatings to preserve and prolong the shelf life of strawberries. The films were synthesized from chitosan (CS), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and gelatin, with Rosa rubiginosa extract (RRE). RRE is recognized for its medicinal benefits, especially its potent antioxidant and antibacterial properties. By integrating RRE extract with CS, PVA, and gelatin, the resulting coatings/films can improve the shelf life and quality of coated or packaged foods. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis was utilized to investigate the physicochemical interactions among the film components by examining the functional groups. X-ray diffraction (XRD) was employed to identify the crystalline or amorphous nature of the developed films. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to analyze the morphology and uniformity of the synthesized films. Furthermore, the films' water solubility, moisture content, soluble organic matter, and thickness were evaluated. The study demonstrated superior antioxidant properties (78% inhibition of BS-03) and enhanced antibacterial properties against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis), and Escherichia coli (E. coli). The fabricated films were found to be biodegradable, with up to 71% degradation in 17 days. The coatings effectively reduced the weight loss percentage of strawberries, thereby extending their shelf life. These findings indicate that the prepared coatings/films hold significant promise for use in food coating and packaging applications.