Enhancing the quality and shelf life of strawberries: Study of pectin-based films and application of coatings with natural deep eutectic solvents and Moringa oleifera leaf extract

This study investigates the dual application of Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (NADES), composed of choline chloride and maltose (4:1 M ratio), as an eco-friendly medium for extracting bioactive compounds from Moringa oleifera leaf flour and as a plasticizer in pectin films. The NADES extract (MNE) showed high efficiency in extracting phenolic compounds (36.25 ± 0.14 mg GAE/g), with antioxidant capacities of 0.97 ± 0.03 mmol TE/g (ORAC) and 0.96 ± 0.21 PI (ABTS). Pectin-based films were prepared with and without NADES or MNE and evaluated for thickness, optical properties, water vapor permeability (WVP), and microstructure. Films containing NADES or MNE exhibited higher WVP (2.327 ± 0.075 and 2.180 ± 0.032 g⋅m −1 ⋅s -1⋅ Pa −1 × 10 −10 , respectively) compared to control films without plasticizer (1.269 ± 0.051 × 10 −1 ⁰ g m −1 s −1 Pa −1 ), and demonstrated improved structural homogeneity. To assess practical use, the films were applied as edible coatings on strawberries. Coated fruits showed reduced weight loss and decay, and better retention of firmness, acidity, soluble solids, and anthocyanins over 11 days at 4 °C. These results highlight NADES-based coatings as a sustainable approach to enhance food preservation. Future research should aim to optimize these formulations for broader food applications and industrial scalability.