Global insights and advances in edible coatings or films toward quality maintenance and reduced postharvest losses of fruit and vegetables: An updated review

Transitioning to safe, nonthermal, and edible strategies for maintaining fruit and vegetable (F&V) quality, reducing postharvest losses (up to 55% annually), and ensuring food security requires extensive research and innovation in postharvest technologies. This review aims to provide an updated understanding of edible coatings or films (ECF), focusing on their role in reducing F&V postharvest losses, based on data from the last 40 years retrieved from the Web of Science database. The global ECF research network is represented by publication trends, majorly researched F&V, key research areas, influential and emerging authors, and global research ranking. The role of ECF in preserving F&V quality has been assessed by examining critical quality parameters, including weight loss, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, ripening, softening, sensory and organoleptic characteristics, browning, chilling injury, and microbial safety. Furthermore, recent advancements in ECF formulations, including nanoscale ingredients and application methodologies, have been critically discussed. Sources, categorization, application strategies, mode of action, functional properties, sustainable development goals (SDGs), challenges, safety, legislations, and future perspectives in ECF research have also been discussed. The key findings indicate that China (20.34%) and the USA (9.94%) are the leading countries in ECF research. Studies have demonstrated ECF's potential in reducing F&V postharvest losses by maintaining quality parameters through advanced nanoscale compositions and methodologies. Notably, ECF research supports multiple SDG targets, including SDGs 2, 3, 8, 9, 12, 13, and 15. Future ECF research should explore 3D-printed coatings, nonflavor-altering components, and potential crosslinking agents to enhance F&V quality and reduce postharvest losses.