Recent Progress in Modified Atmosphere Packaging and Biopolymeric Films and Coatings for Fresh Strawberry Shelf‐Life Extension

ABSTRACTStrawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) is a valuable crop cultivated worldwide. This fruit is mainly consumed fresh and is an important source of vitamin C, fat‐soluble vitamins and carotenoids. However, fresh strawberries (FS) have a limited shelf life. Conventionally, the shelf life of FS has been extended using refrigeration coupled with modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) technology in traditional petroleum‐based polymeric films. Nonetheless, other packaging technologies such as biopolymeric packaging films and edible coatings can also be used to preserve FS with the advantage of presenting similar shelf‐life extension with lower environmental impact. This review article focused on the analysis of the main factors limiting FS' shelf life, as well as a critical discussion about the use of different packaging technologies as alternatives to increasing FS' shelf life. The revised literature revealed that FS are susceptible to microbial deterioration, weight loss and sensory quality decay. Traditional MAP technology can extend the shelf life of FS to 15 days, depending on the gas composition and storage temperature. Meanwhile, active biopolymeric films and edible coatings can be used as emerging alternatives to extend the shelf life of FS. In general, most studies have produced active films and coatings with the objective of reducing microbial growth, weight loss and sensory quality decay of strawberries during storage. Biopolymeric films and edible coatings applied in strawberries can increase the shelf life of these fruits to a similar extent as traditional MAP. The combination of MAP with biopolymeric films and edible coatings could be explored as an alternative to increase the shelf life of FS.