From Plants to Packaging: The Role of Natural Waxes in Sustainable Food Preservation
From Plants to Packaging: The Role of Natural Waxes in Sustainable Food Preservation

Author(s): Nadezhda CHRISTOSKOVA, Mina Todorova, Stoyanka Nikolova, Sabka Pashova
Subject(s): Economy, Supranational / Global Economy, Business Economy / Management, Agriculture, ICT Information and Communications Technologies
Published by: Икономически университет - Варна
Keywords: food preservation; plant-based wax; biodegradable packaging; edible films
Summary/Abstract: Background and aim: Food safety is a key priority of the food industry. Increased food waste and the spread of foodborne illnesses can result from contamination of food products due to incorrect handling, packing, and storage. Customers frequently have an unfavorable opinion of the usage of synthetic compounds as additives or as substances that form films. Consequently, there is interest in developing alternative kinds of food packaging materials that are more environmentally and consumer-friendly. This study aimed to conduct a literature review and update previous overviews of the recently reported edible films, summarizing their applications. Methods: Major electronic medical databases—PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, Web of Science, and Google Scholar—were systematically searched for publications to 2025. Results: A total of 127 studies met our inclusion criteria, combining search words “edible coating” and “natural wax-based coating”. Conclusions: Natural wax-based coatings have shown great potential in preserving the quality of fruit and can be effectively applied to reduce postharvest losses across the supply chain. These coatings can help maintain the fruit’s overall quality, thereby extending shelf life and enhancing marketability.

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