New fruit protective film

Scientists at the U.S. Agricultural Research Service developed a new type of fruit protective film using a newly formulated shellac and sucrose ester. Sucrose esters are complexes that combine sucrose with esters and acids. This biological control protective film can maintain fruit quality by promoting the beneficial growth of beneficial bacteria on the fruit surface.

Researchers have discovered that the $1,000/kg of konjac quinolone, commonly used to preserve postharvest fruits, and the quinones used to preserve Florida grapefruit, will kill beneficial bacteria and yeast flora. These bacteria and pathogens can effectively compete for nutrients such as sugar and protein during their critical development period, thus maintaining fruit quality. These bacteria and yeasts starve to death of pathogens that may eat nutrients on the surface of fruit and cause fruit rot.

The person concerned also conducted a reformulation of the shellac and sucrose ester protective film to reduce the odor caused by the increase of ethanol. Preliminary experiments on grapefruit showed that the reconstituted shellac and sucrose ester protective film are more prone to the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide gas, thus preventing the development of fruit odor. In this regard, the effect of the sucrose ester protective film is more pronounced. (Liu Hua)

Information Source: Plastic