Eman Ibrahim Saafan*

Department of Food Industries, Faculty of Agriculture, Mansoura University, El-Mansoura, El-Dakahlya, Egypt

*Corresponding Author: Eman Ibrahim Saafan, Department of Food Industries, Faculty of Agriculture, Mansoura University, El-Mansoura, El-Dakahlya, Egypt.

Received: December 10, 2025; Published: December 31, 2025

Abstract

This study aimed to develop and evaluate a bioactive edible coating based on polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) incorporated with dill seed powder (DSP) to enhance the quality and shelf life of fresh strawberry during cold storage (4 ± 1 °C). DSP was characterized for its antioxidant capacity, phytochemical composition, and antimicrobial activity, revealing substantial levels of phenolics and flavonoids as well as strong inhibitory effects against major foodborne pathogens. Composite DSP/PVA films were prepared using the solution-casting method and assessed for mechanical, physical, and optical properties. The incorporation of DSP significantly improved film thickness, tensile strength, elongation at break, water vapor barrier performance, and UV-blocking capacity. Scanning Electron Microscope further confirmed the formation of a heterogeneous composite matrix containing well distributed phytochemical rich particles. When applied as a coating, DSP/PVA films effectively reduced moisture loss, maintained higher firmness, and better preserved titratable acidity, soluble solids, and anthocyanin content compared with the other with PVA. Microbiological assessments demonstrated that DSP/PVA coatings substantially suppressed total viable counts, psychrophilic bacteria, and mold and yeast populations throughout storage. Overall, the incorporation of dill seed powder into PVA-based films enhanced the functional properties of the edible coating filme and significantly improved the physicochemical stability and microbial quality of strawberries. These findings that DSP/PVA promising as natural and eco-friendly packaging alternative for extending the shelf life of highly perishable fruits.

Keywords: Edible Coating; Dill Seed Powder; Strawberry Shelf Life; Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activity

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Citation

Citation: Eman Ibrahim Saafan. “Extending Shelf Life of Strawberry Using Dill Seeds Powder Edible Coating Film".Acta Scientific Nutritional Health 10.1 (2026): 53-70.

Copyright

Copyright: © 2026 Eman Ibrahim Saafan. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.