Effects of chitosan/cinnamaldehyde-based coatings on the quality preservation of peanut seed from fungal contamination

Peanut seeds are highly susceptible to fungal contamination and insect infestation during ambient storage, leading to quality degradation, reduced germination, and hazardous aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) accumulation. This study evaluated the preservation efficacy of chitosan/cinnamaldehyde (CS/CA) composite coatings on peanut seeds during 12 months of storage. The synergistic action of CS (antimicrobial film-forming polymer) and CA (antifungal/antioxidant essential oil component) provided dual protection against biotic and oxidative damage. Compared to the untreated control, seeds coated with CS/0.5 % CA exhibited significantly reduced fungal proliferation (final count 2.0 log CFU/g versus 5.9 log CFU/g in control), diminished insect damage (1.9 % versus 4.6 %), and maintained enhanced germination capacity (82 % versus 61 %) over a 12-month storage period. Chitosan/cinnamaldehyde (CS/CA) composite coatings preserved peanut seeds for 12 months in this investigation. Antibiotic film-forming polymer CS and antifungal/antioxidant essential oil CA reduced biotic and oxidative damage. The controls had more fungal and insect damage than the CS/CA-treated seeds. CA formulations at 0.5 % and 1.0 % reduced Aspergillus flavus growth and AFB1 accumulation, resulting in final values of 7.0 and 6.0 μg/kg, much below the global regulatory limit of 20 μg/kg. CA also improved seed vigor measures, such as germination power and normal seedling rate The 1.0 % CA group had similar antifungal efficacy but reduced germination. The results indicate that the 0.5 % CS/CA coating is especially efficacious in extending seed viability, assuring safety, and preserving germination performance under ambient storage circumstances.