Design and fabrication of multifunctional ginger essential oil-cassava residue/PBS biodegradable films for mango preservation and anthracnose inhibition

Abstract

This study developed multifunctional biodegradable packaging with enhanced barrier and antifungal properties to extend the postharvest life of ‘Nam Dok Mai’ mangoes. The barrier packaging using poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) and cassava residue was fabricated using twin screw extruder and chill-roll cast film extruder. Furthermore, the antifungal activity was enhanced by coating the packaging with a ginger essential oil–chitosan (GEO-C) solution. Incorporation of 10% cassava residue into the PBS matrix significantly enhanced the oxygen barrier properties, resulting in the decrement of the oxygen transmission rate (OTR) to 52.3 cm³/m²·day·bar. The application of GEO-C coating solution further decreased the OTR to 44.9 cm³/m²·day·bar, confirming the superior barrier performance of the GEO-C coated composite films. In addition, the GEO-C solution alone also exhibited strong antifungal activity, achieving complete inhibition of fungal growth at the concentration of 40 μL/mL (0 mm colony diameter and 100% inhibition). Consequently, the GEO-C coated composite films based on 10% cassava residue/PBS with 40 μL/mL of GEO-C coating solution demonstrated the most efficient shelf-life extension of ‘Nam Dok Mai’ mangoes up to 15 days. This packaging could delay ripening of mango, as demonstrated by the lowest respiration rate (1039.1 mg CO₂/kg·h) and ethylene production (0.14 μL/kg·h). Moreover, the mangoes exhibited a low weight loss (2.38%), retained high firmness (0.6 N), and maintained dark green peel color (L-value 64.8 and hue angle 83.8). Therefore, the integration of natural antifungal agents with biodegradable barrier packaging provides a promising strategy for extending shelf life of climacteric fruits during storage.