Berries are susceptible to perish deterioration as a result affected by biological activities, including high respiration and transpiration, and fungal rots, which lead to short shelf life. To prevent food waste, edible coatings are beneficial to reduce food degradation as a barrier preventing deterioration, either biochemical processes and/or microbial contamination.

This study aimed to develop an active edible coating to preserve the quality of grapes and extend the shelf life. A mixture of beeswax, citrus pectin, and lemon essential oil as coating materials was formulated, and applied to the Kyoho grape surface. The quality attributes of grapes during storage, including respiration rate, weight loss, hardness change, color change, fungal growth/rot, and sensory indicators, were completed during storage.

The results showed the MIC of active coating against Botrytis cinerea (2 log CFU/mL inoculation) on grapes was 3% lemon essential oil in the presence of 4% beeswax for 7 days, where the uncoated samples were found with fungal rot. Additionally, the presence of citrus pectin mixture favored an even coating on the grape surface. Berries with coatings demonstrated a lower oxygen consumption rate during storage. With the active edible coating, less weight loss (6%) compared to uncoated (15%). Also, the hardness of the controls decreased by ca. 70%, whereas coated grapes demonstrated a 7% decrease after 8 days of storage in an ambient environment. No significant differences in the peel coloration, aroma, and overall preference between newly coated and control grapes were noticed. During storage, significantly higher scores on peel color, firmness, odor, and overall preference of coated samples were determined after 8 days.

Active edible coating made of pectin, beeswax, and essential oil is beneficial to controlling respiration rate, preserving texture quality, and inhibiting fungal growth. Additionally, better sensorial attributes during storage were obtained from coated berries, thus extending shelf life. This easy-to-prepare and easy-to-spray active edible coating is feasible for agricultural products, and reduces food waste due to perish.

Keywords：Kyoho grapes, edible coating, beeswax, lemon essential oil, antifungal activity, food waste prevention, shelf life