Chitosan/alginate biocomposites for postharvest preservation of horticultural produce: A comprehensive review

Abstract

Chitosan/alginate-based composites have demonstrated significant potential for preserving fruits and vegetables after harvest due to their superior mechanical properties, electrostatic interactions, and tunable barrier functionality. This review discusses various fabrication methods for chitosan/alginate composite systems, including layer-by-layer self-assembly, crosslinking agent-mediated film formation, post-blending gel coating, and nanocomposite films. These composite materials exhibit notable antimicrobial activity, which can be attributed to their ability to regulate enzymatic interference, disrupt electrostatic disruption, and facilitate ionotropic crosslinking. Additionally, their antioxidant efficacy arises from reactive oxygen species scavenging and enhances endogenous defenses (enzymes and non-enzymatic) in fresh produce. Furthermore, this review addresses the challenges of optimizing composites and highlights advancements in sustainable packaging, smart delivery systems, and eco-friendly preservation for next-generation postharvest management.