Self-assembled epigallocatechin gallate-cinnamaldehyde-arginine nanoparticles in chitosan coating prolong strawberry shelf life via antioxidant and antimicrobial activities

Although chitosan (CS) is recognized as a promising material for food preservation, the performance of a single-component chitosan coating exhibits inherent limitation. Herein, novel epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)-cinnamaldehyde-L-arginine nanoparticles (ECL NPs) were synthesized though self-assembly and mannich reaction by integrating EGCG, cinnamaldehyde (Cin), and L-arginine (L-Arg). ECL NPs displayed strong antioxidant and antibacterial activity. Additionally, ECL NPs have greater antioxidation stability than free EGCG. Furthermore, ECL NPs were dispersed into CS to prepare ECL/CS coatings that were applied to fresh strawberries. During six days of storage, the 0.2 %( w /w) ECL/CS coating suppressed visible spoilage, reduced weight loss to 28.49 ± 5.99 % and maintained fruit hardness at 95.05 ± 4.78 g. These results confirm that ECL/CS coating provides an effective strategy for extending the shelf life of perishable fruit and offers a multifunctional platform for antioxidant and antimicrobial applications in food preservation.