Fabrication of novel self-healing edible coating for fruits preservation and its performance maintenance mechanism.

Coating damage destroys the integrity features critical for maintaining the modified atmosphere inside the fruit. In this study, we developed a self-healing edible coating that maintains its barrier properties for extending the shelf life of strawberries. The coating was fabricated via the layer-by-layer assembly of chitosan (CS) and sodium alginate (SA). (SA/CS)3 formed by three assembly cycles could completely heal the visibly damaged area by treating water. The mechanical properties and the water and oxygen rates of the healed coating were 97%, 63%, and 95%, respectively, of the intact coating. (SA/CS)3 coating effectively delayed strawberry deterioration. Moreover, the coating reduced the impact of coating damage on strawberries by restoring the coating barrier properties. The present findings have important implications for solving the reduction in freshness caused by coating damage.