Eco-friendly TiO₂/rice bran wax/chitosan films and their application as fruit coatings: Characterization and UV-responsive ethylene scavenging function

With the escalating environmental concerns associated with non-biodegradable, petroleum-derived materials, the development of eco-friendly coating alternatives has become imperative to replace conventional commercial fruit waxes, such as morpholine-emulsified formulations. This study presented the development and characterization of a composite film composed of titanium dioxide (TiO₂), rice bran wax (RW), and chitosan (CHI), and evaluated the potential of its emulsion as a postharvest coating for fruit preservation. The TiO₂/RW/CHI film exhibited enhanced mechanical and thermal performance, including improved tensile strength and thermal stability, particularly at 0.07% TiO₂. In addition, the film with 0.09% TiO₂ demonstrated favorable water solubility, as evidenced by a contact angle of 38.4°, indicating ease of cleaning from fruit surfaces. Notably, the TiO₂/RW/CHI coating can effectively promote the oxidative degradation of ethylene under ultraviolet irradiation, thereby reducing weight loss, maintaining lower soluble solids content, and delaying textural softening of cherry tomatoes during storage. These results suggest that the TiO₂/RW/CHI emulsion coating is a promising eco-friendly alternative for extending the shelf life and maintaining the quality of postharvest fruits.