Abstract
The application of probiotics has emerged as an innovative bioprotection technology to preserve fresh and minimally processed fruit and vegetables. This review discusses the most recent advances on the development and application of probiotic-loaded edible films/coatings as a strategy to preserve fresh or minimally processed fruit and vegetables. Available studies have shown a variety of materials, including hydrocolloids (polysaccharides and proteins) and lipids, used alone or in combination to formulate edible films/coatings loaded with probiotics. Plasticizers and surfactants are usually required to formulate these edible films/coatings. The reported antimicrobial effects of probiotic-loaded edible films/coating and quality parameters of coated fruit and vegetables could vary according to the characteristics of the materials used in their formulation, loaded probiotic strain and its dose. The antimicrobial effects of these films/coatings could be linked to the action of various metabolites produced by embedded probiotic cells with inhibitory effects on microorganisms contaminating fruit and vegetable surfaces. The implication of the use of probiotic-loaded edible films/coatings should be their antimicrobial effects against pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms and efficacy to control the ripening of fruit and vegetables, helping the coated products to maintain their safety, quality, nutritional and functional characteristics for a more prolonged storage period.