Title: Prickly pear mucilage coating reinforced with cellulose nanofibres preserved quality of minimally processed butternut squash (Cucurbita moschata) during cold storage

Authors: Mawande Hugh Shinga; Olaniyi Amos Fawole

Addresses: Department of Botany and Plant Biotechnology, Postharvest and Agroprocessing Research Centre, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park, Johannesburg, 2006, South Africa; Faculty of Science, South African Research Chairs Initiative in Sustainable Preservation and Agroprocessing Research, University of Johannesburg, P.O. Box 524 Auckland Park, Johannesburg, 2006, South Africa ' Department of Botany and Plant Biotechnology, Postharvest and Agroprocessing Research Centre, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park, Johannesburg, 2006, South Africa; Faculty of Science, South African Research Chairs Initiative in Sustainable Preservation and Agroprocessing Research, University of Johannesburg, P.O. Box 524 Auckland Park, Johannesburg, 2006, South Africa

Abstract: Minimally processed products deteriorate in quality due to increased respiration, enzymatic activity, and microbial growth. Postharvest treatment applications are needed to maintain quality and enhance marketability. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of Opuntia ficus-indica mucilage (OFIM) reinforced with cellulose nanofibres (CNF) as an edible coating for fresh-cut butternut during cold storage. Butternut cubes were coated with 0.5% OFIM containing 0.03, 0.06, or 0.09% CNF and stored at 4°C and 85 ± 5% RH for 20 days. Quality parameters, including weight loss, firmness, respiration rate (RR), total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), colour, total carotenoid content (TCC), total phenolic content (TPC), total ascorbic acid content (AA) and 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) were measured every four days. OFIM coating reduced WL and maintained TSS, TA, firmness, TPC, AA and DPPH compared to uncoated fruit. These findings suggest OFIM could be a natural preservative for minimally processed produce.

Keywords: edible coating; postharvest quality; antioxidant activities; market value; minimally processed produce; Opuntia ficus-indica mucilage; cold storage.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPTI.2026.153973

International Journal of Postharvest Technology and Innovation, 2026 Vol.10 No.2/3, pp.169 - 189

Received: 31 Jan 2024
Accepted: 20 Dec 2024
Published online: 09 Jun 2026 *

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