Cellulose nanocrystals Pickering emulsion incorporated chitosan coatings for improving storability of postharvest Bartlett pears (Pyrus communis) during long-term cold storage

Cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) Pickering emulsion was prepared and incorporated into chitosan (CH) coatings (CH-PCNC, 0.1% CNC/3% oleic acid/2% CH) for improving hydrophobicity of coatings on Bartlett pears during long-term cold storage (1.7 degrees C and 90% RH). FTIR analysis of CH-PCNC films stored at both 43% and 83% RH showed no large absorption band at similar to 3300-3400 cm(-1) (-OH stretching), whereas that of CNC reinforced CH film (CH-CNC) stored at 83% RH exhibited a large increase compared to film stored at 43% RH. Water vapor permeability (0.06 g mm/m(2).d.Pa) of CH-PCNC film was significantly (P<0.05) lower than that of CH-CNC film (0.251 g mm/m(2).d.Pa). These results suggested that CH-PCNC matrix is more stable than CH-CNC at high RH. CH-PCNC coatings significantly (P<0.05) delayed ripening and reduced senescent scalding of Bartlett pears compared to Semperfresh (TM) coating during 3 months of storage. This study demonstrated the possibility of using CNC Pickering emulsions for enhancing the stability of hydrophilic chitosan-based coatings.