Azam Ranjbar

Despite the growth of fruit production, the challenge of postharvest fruit loss particularly in tropical and subtropical fruits due to spoilage, decay, and natural deterioration remains a critical issue, impacting the global food supply chain by reducing both the quantity and quality of fruits postharvest. Edible coatings have emerged as a sustainable solution to extending the shelf life of fruits and decreasing postharvest losses. The precise composition and application of these coatings are crucial in determining their effectiveness in preventing microbial growth and preserving the sensory attributes of fruits. Furthermore, the integration of nanotechnology into edible coatings has the potential to enhance their functionalities, including improved barrier properties, the controlled release of active substances, and increased antimicrobial capabilities. Recent advancements highlighting the impact of edible coatings are underscored in this review, showcasing how they help in prolonging shelf life, preserving quality, and minimizing postharvest losses of subtropical fresh fruits worldwide. The utilization of edible coatings presents challenges in terms of production, storage, and large-scale application, all while ensuring consumer acceptance, food safety, nutritional value, and extended shelf life. Edible coatings based on polysaccharides and proteins encounter difficulties due to inadequate water and gas barrier properties, necessitating the incorporation of plasticizers, emulsifiers, and other additives to enhance their mechanical and thermal durability. Moreover, high levels of biopolymers and active components like essential oils and plant extracts could potentially impact the taste of the produce, directly influencing consumer satisfaction. Therefore, ongoing research and innovation in this field show great potential for reducing postharvest losses and strengthening food security. This paper presents a comprehensive overview of the latest advancements in the application of edible coatings and their influence on extending the postharvest longevity of main subtropical fruits, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the quality of fresh and fresh-cut subtropical fruits, prolonging their shelf life, and protecting them from deterioration through innovative techniques.

Natural resource scarcity is a major concern worldwide, and rapid population growth exacerbates limitations on resources. On the other hand, climate change leads to irregular rainfall patterns, soil erosion, water scarcity, and reduced crop yields. In this way, the evolution of agricultural ecosystems and their diversity is affected by climate change and exacerbates the issues related to food security. Sustainable production under changing climate conditions is a top priority for developed countries globally. This study examines the adaptation strategies that plants employ to combat environmental stresses. Additionally, practical strategies for managing the consequences of climate change are reviewed. All aspects of food security are considered simultaneously, aiding in the development of effective policies to ensure food security.

Pomegranate arils pose a significant challenge when it comes to preserving their nutritional value and preventing microbial contamination. This study aimed to explore the impact of thymol fumigation and active modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) on enzymatic activity and microbial contamination prevention in pomegranate arils. The results indicated that arils stored in a high O2 atmosphere (HO2A) with thymol had notably different catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD) activity levels compared to other treatments. These arils exhibited the highest CAT activity and the lowest POD activity. The highest phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity was observed in arils stored in HO2A with thymol, although it was not significantly different from those stored in a high CO2 atmosphere (HCO2A) with thymol (P<0.05). Arils stored in a low oxygen atmosphere (LO2A) and HCO2A with thymol showed the highest polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity levels, while arils in HO2A with thymol had the lowest. The HO2A with thymol treatment resulted in the lowest presence of psychrophilic bacteria, although it was not significantly different from arils stored in LO2A with thymol (P<0.01). Based on cluster analysis results, HO2A with thymol, LO2A with thymol, and HCO2A with thymol could be considered the most effective treatments for extending the storage life of packaged pomegranate arils.

Sustainable agriculture requires factors to directly stimulate plant growth and induce the plant’s innate immune system to protect against stresses. Protection of plants is one of the main approaches to the supply of food resource. Furthermore, improved techniques for plant disease management must be environmentally sustainable, reliable, acceptable by society, and chemical-free to ensure sustainable food security. Although it is not possible to accurately determine postharvest losses due to diseases and physiological disorders, the use of proper harvesting and transportation methods that minimize damage to the product, along with optimal storage conditions that prevent the development of diseases, will be effective in reducing these postharvest losses. Since handling and storage conditions are potential threats for postharvest spoilage, it is necessary to identify environmentally friendly approaches and their precision mechanisms for postharvest disease management. Recently, biological control, non-chemical, and eco-friendly techniques have been investigated for this purpose.

Pomegranate fruit rot leads to the loss of a significant quantity of fruit worldwide. In the present study, the antifungal effects of thymol on the morphology of Aspergillus niger and Penicillium commune as the main fungi causing pomegranate fruit rot were investigated in in vitro conditions. Examination of cell morphology using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in Aspergillus niger colony showed that cell deformation was observed due to the destruction of the cell membrane and loss of cell wall strength at a concentration of 250 µg mL⁻¹ (50% FC) after 168 h. Produced hyphae had irregular branching and no spore production was observed. Evaluation of Penicillium commune colony cell morphology using SEM showed that thymol at a concentration of 250 µg mL⁻¹ (50% FC) caused superficial wrinkles, bifurcation of the hyphal apex, and no spore production was observed.

Pomegranate fruit rot is caused by the fungi Penicillium spp., Aspergillus spp., Botrytis cinerea, Rhizopus spp., Nematospora spp. and Coniella spp. In the present study, the antifungal effects of thymol on the growth of Aspergillus niger and Penicillium commune isolated from pomegranate fruits were investigated in in vitro conditions. The experiment was performed as a factorial based on a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replicates. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) of thymol for both fungi were 250 and 500 µg mL⁻¹, respectively. The lowest diameter of the Penicillium commune colony (6.66 mm) was found at a concentration of 250 µg mL⁻¹ after 168 h; however, it was not significantly (p ≤ 0.01) different from the diameter of the Aspergillus niger colony at the same time. Thymol at the concentration of 500 µg mL⁻¹ had a similar effect as a fungicidal agent compared with thiabendazole (1500 µg mL⁻¹).