Next Article in Journal
Multivariate Statistical Optimization of a Modified Protocol of the Ionic Polyelectrolyte Pre-Gelation Method to Synthesize Alginate–Chitosan-Based Nanoparticles
Previous Article in Journal
Improving the Thermal Conductivity by Varying the Filler Geometry of Copper in Thermosets
Previous Article in Special Issue
Whey Protein Biopolymer Coatings for Sustainable Preservation of Potato Quality During Storage
 
 
Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
Journals
Polymers
Volume 18
Issue 1
10.3390/polym18010076
polymers-logo
Submit to this Journal Review for this Journal Propose a Special Issue
► Article Menu

Article Menu

share Share announcement Help format_quote Cite
first_page
settings
Order Article Reprints
Font Type:
Arial Georgia Verdana
Font Size:
Aa Aa Aa
Line Spacing:
Column Width:
Background:
This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Article

Seagrass-Derived Cellulose/Collagen Composite Coating for Enhanced Tomato Shelf Life and Postharvest Quality

by
Senthilkumar Palanisamy
1,*,
Kokila Saravanan
2,
Jishna Jabbar
2,
Rahul Jacob Michael
2,
Barani Kumar Saravana Kumar
2,
Jintae Lee
3 and
Devaraj Bharathi
3,*
1
Sabanci University Nanotechnology Research and Application Center (SUNUM), Istanbul 34956, Turkey
2
School of Biotechnology, Dr. G R Damodaran College of Science, Coimbatore 641014, India
3
School of Chemical Engineering, Yeungnam University, 280 Daehak-Ro, Gyeongsan 38541, Republic of Korea
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Polymers 2026, 18(1), 76; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18010076 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 4 November 2025 / Revised: 15 December 2025 / Accepted: 24 December 2025 / Published: 26 December 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodegradable and Biobased Polymers for Sustainable Food Applications)
Browse Figure
Versions Notes

Abstract

This study explored an eco-friendly coating system combining seagrass-derived cellulose fiber (SCF) from Cymodocea rotundata with marine type I collagen (MC) for tomato preservation. The SCF/MC composite was prepared through enzymatic and natural crosslinking processes and subsequently characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The results demonstrated that SCF/MC possessed a compact morphology, strong hydrogen bonding interactions, high crystallinity, and excellent thermal stability. When applied as a coating, SCF/MC composite significantly reduced weight loss in tomatoes, preserved firmness (>39 Units), regulated acidity, maintained moisture levels (~90%), and delayed increase in pH compared to the uncoated control. Additionally, the SCF/MC coating sustained ascorbic acid and moderated lycopene accumulation, indicating delayed ripening. At 0.5% of SCF/MC composite, spoilage was limited to 22% versus ~80% in control samples, demonstrating a substantial reduction in decay. Antifungal assay showed strong inhibition of Aspergillus flavus, with the highest suppression of mycelial growth observed at 0.5% of SCF/MC. Overall, the SCF/MC coating effectively enhanced fungal safety and maintained the physicochemical quality of tomatoes, thereby extending shelf life while valorizing seagrass biomass as a sustainable postharvest resource.
Keywords: seagrass cellulose; collagen; tomato shelf life; antifungal activity; sustainable packaging seagrass cellulose; collagen; tomato shelf life; antifungal activity; sustainable packaging
Graphical Abstract

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Palanisamy, S.; Saravanan, K.; Jabbar, J.; Jacob Michael, R.; Saravana Kumar, B.K.; Lee, J.; Bharathi, D. Seagrass-Derived Cellulose/Collagen Composite Coating for Enhanced Tomato Shelf Life and Postharvest Quality. Polymers 2026, 18, 76. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18010076

AMA Style

Palanisamy S, Saravanan K, Jabbar J, Jacob Michael R, Saravana Kumar BK, Lee J, Bharathi D. Seagrass-Derived Cellulose/Collagen Composite Coating for Enhanced Tomato Shelf Life and Postharvest Quality. Polymers. 2026; 18(1):76. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18010076

Chicago/Turabian Style

Palanisamy, Senthilkumar, Kokila Saravanan, Jishna Jabbar, Rahul Jacob Michael, Barani Kumar Saravana Kumar, Jintae Lee, and Devaraj Bharathi. 2026. "Seagrass-Derived Cellulose/Collagen Composite Coating for Enhanced Tomato Shelf Life and Postharvest Quality" Polymers 18, no. 1: 76. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18010076

APA Style

Palanisamy, S., Saravanan, K., Jabbar, J., Jacob Michael, R., Saravana Kumar, B. K., Lee, J., & Bharathi, D. (2026). Seagrass-Derived Cellulose/Collagen Composite Coating for Enhanced Tomato Shelf Life and Postharvest Quality. Polymers, 18(1), 76. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18010076

Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

Article Metrics

Article metric data becomes available approximately 24 hours after publication online.
Back to TopTop