Agro Produce Processing Division, ICAR-Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Nabibagh, Bhopal - 462038

Edible coating is considered to be a clean, eco-friendly technology for reducing the post-harvest losses of fruits and vegetables by modifying the internal environment through selective gaseous (CO₂/O₂) exchange, controlling the moisture migration, and providing the mechanical barrier properties for protection from external environment. Edible coating is considered to be a tool for incorporation of active components such as bioactive compounds, essential oil for improving the microbial safety and quality attributes of fresh produce. The edible is made up of different types of biopolymers such as polysaccharides, lipids, proteins alone or in combination and these polymers are also widely used in food processing industries for manufacturing of various food products. The diversion of industrial biopolymers for food packaging applications has created a threat to global food security. On another hand, food industries are generating enormous by-products from the processing of foods and their disposal are creating a huge environmental problems. These by-products are rich source of polysaccharides, proteins and other bioactive compounds that can be used as a replacement of conventional biopolymer for development of edible coatings. Moreover the use of by-products for the edible coatings not only provides a sustainable solution of waste management of by-products but also promote circular economy.  In this review the food processing by-products that have potential for packaging applications for fruits and vegetable are explored and their beneficial effects on the extension of shelf life of fresh produce are reviewed and discussed.

Keywords: Edible, Coating; By-Products; Fruits and Vegetable; Packaging; Shelf life.