The aim of this study was to develop new edible coatings based on apple pectin with a combination of
antioxidants and antimicrobial agents to control enzymatic browning and microbial growth of fresh-cut
‘Rojo Brillante’ persimmon. The survival of important food-borne human pathogens artificially inoculated
on fresh-cut fruit was also assessed. Potassium sorbate (PS) at 2 or 4 g kg1, sodium benzoate (SB) at 4 g kg1,
or nisin (NI) at 500 IU mL1, were addedto apple pectin coatings containing 10 g kg1 citric acidand10 g kg1
calcium chloride as antioxidants. Persimmon slices were dipped in the coatings, the aqueous antioxidant
solution (citric acid and calcium chloride) or water (control), packed in an ambient atmosphere and stored at
5 C for upto 9 days. Microbial growth, colour,
firmness, polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity, visual qualityand
overall sensory
flavour were measured during storage. Coated samples and those dipped in the antioxidant
aqueous solution presented lower a* values than control samples, which indicated effective browning
inhibition. Persimmon slices treated with coatings containing PS and SB reached the limit of marketability
after 7 days of storage. At the end of storage, the overall fruit
flavour was ranked above the limit of
acceptability. Antimicrobial coatings inhibited growth of mesophilic aerobic bacteria, and those
containing SB and NI were the most effective. No growth of moulds, yeasts and psychrophilic aerobic
bacteria was detected during storage. All the treatments effectively reduced the populations of Escherichia
coli and Salmonella enteritidis, NI-coating being the most effective. For Listeria monocytogenes, only the NIcoating
effectively reduced the bacterial population.