Grafted modified chitosan/pullulan film loaded with essential oil/β-CD-MOFs for freshness preservation of peach

In response to the rapid quality degradation of peaches due to post-harvest decay, this study developed a composite film for preservation. Two primary pathogens responsible for peach decay, Aspergillus flavus and Talaromyces funiculosus , were identified. Molecular docking attributed to the main binding position of citral and geraniol's interactions with type I polyketide synthase on their antifungal effects, as well as the caffeic acid with its tyrosinase on antioxidant efficacy. β -CD-MOFs were synthesized via vapor diffusion, demonstrating exceptional spatial loading via SEM. CEOs (citral + geraniol) encapsulated in β -CD-MOFs were incorporated into a chitosan/pullulan matrix, yielding a film with 260.27 % fracture tensile strain, significantly ( P  < 0.001) outperforming pure chitosan (21.87 %), possessing excellent mechanical properties, and the improvement in the water solubility of the film facilitates the release of active compounds. The utilization of a compositel film on peaches has shown significant efficacy in controlling decay index ( P  < 0.05), weight loss ( P  < 0.05), firmness ( P  < 0.05) and production of malondialdehyde ( P  < 0.05). Compared to untreated controls, the treated peaches exhibited an extended shelf life of 2 days, highlighting the superior preservation capabilities of the film. Hence, the film presents a promising solution for fruit preservation.