Effect of sustained-release tea tree essential oil solid preservative on fresh-cut pineapple storage quality in modified atmospheres packaging

•Tea tree essential oil (TTO) solid preservative (SP) was prepared by extrusion.•TTO adsorbed on nano SiO2 was embedded in polysaccharide network structure.•Non-covalent forces between polysaccharides and TTO result in sustained-release.•SP extended the shelf life of fresh-cut pineapple in MAP.•The antioxidant capacity of fresh-cut pineapple was improved by SP. The quality and safety of fresh-cut pineapple deteriorate during handling and storage due to physicochemical and microbial changes, so its preservation has attracted extensive attention. This study prepared sustained-release tea tree essential oil (TTO) solid preservative (SP) with an encapsulation efficiency of 71.45% and applied it on fresh-cut pineapple in modified atmospheres packaging (MAP). Results showed that TTO adsorbed on nano silicon dioxide (SiO2) was embedded in the starch-carboxymethyl cellulose network structure by extrusion. The hydrogen bond and hydrophobic interaction resulted in compact structure and good sustained-release performance of SP. The SP improved sensory quality and reduced nutrient loss and microbial spoilage of fresh-cut pineapple, which extended its shelf-life to four days. In addition, antioxidant capacity was enhanced with increasing antioxidant enzyme activity, antioxidant content, and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazine scavenging capacity and decreasing MDA accumulation. Therefore, sustained-release TTO solid preservative has potential for the preservation of fresh-cut pineapple.