Plant-Based Fixed Oil in Edible Coating Formulation for Postharvest Preservation of Horticultural Crops

The production of fruits and vegetables has increased globally due to the increasing demand by consumers. These commodities are rich in various phytochemical nutrients that can reduce disease occurrence and improve human health. However, a significant loss of fruits and vegetables occurs during the postharvest stage. In this sense, edible coatings application has been one of the reliable approaches to improving the quality and extending the shelf life of fresh fruits and vegetables. Researchers are continuously researching and introducing new novel concepts for possible modifications, resulting in the development of unique coating formulations. One of the approaches has been incorporating essential oils into edible coatings, and it is a successful method even though these oils are volatile compounds. Plant-based fixed oils also have similar benefits as essential oils, with the added advantage of being nonvolatile. This review establishes the potential contribution of fixed oils to the overall efficacy of edible coating formulations and highlights research opportunities for investigating the potential contribution of different plant-based fixed oils edible coating formulations in maintaining quality and prolonging the shelf life of fruits and vegetables.