Starch‐based antifungal edible coatings to control sour rot caused by Geotrichum citri‐aurantii and maintain postharvest quality of ‘Fino’ lemon

BACKGROUND Two edible coating (EC) emulsions based on potato starch (F6 and F10) alone or formulated with sodium benzoate (SB, 2% w/w) (F6/SB and F10/SB) were evaluated to maintain postharvest quality of cold‐stored ‘Fino’ lemons and control sour rot on lemons artificially inoculated with Geotrichum citri‐aurantii. Previous research showed the potential of these ECs to improve the storability of ‘Orri’ mandarins and reduce citrus green and blue molds caused by Penicillum digitatum and Penicillium italicum, respectively. RESULTS The coatings F6/SB and F10/SB significantly reduced sour rot incidence and severity compared to uncoated control samples on lemons incubated at 28 °C for 4 and 7 days. The F6/SB coating reduced weight loss and gas exchange compared to uncoated fruit after 2 and 4 weeks of storage at 12 °C plus a shelf life of 1 week at 20 °C, without adversely affecting the lemon physicochemical quality. CONCLUSION Overall, the F6/SB coating formulation, composed of pregelatinized potato starch, glyceryl monostearate, glycerol, emulsifiers and SB, with a total solid content of 5.5%, showed the best results in reducing citrus sour rot and maintaining the postharvest quality of cold‐stored ‘Fino’ lemons. Therefore, it showed potential as a new cost‐effective postharvest treatment suitable to be included in integrated disease management programs for citrus international markets with zero tolerance to chemical residues. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.