Enhanced Mandarin Preservation Using Purple Passion Fruit Mesocarp Pectin/Agarose Coatings Loaded With Lotus Leaf Extract

This study investigated the effects of lotus leaf extract (LLE) at different concentrations (30%, 40%, and 50%, w/w) on the physicochemical and functional properties of purple passion fruit mesocarp pectin (PPMP)/agarose (PPMP‐A) films and their effectiveness as coatings for preserving King mandarins. The films were evaluated for their mechanical behavior, surface hydrophilicity, water vapor permeability (WVP), solubility, swelling capacity, moisture content, UV‐shielding ability, oxygen permeability, shape‐memory performance, and radical‐scavenging activity. FTIR analysis suggested the formation of intermolecular hydrogen bonds among the components, consistent with improved mechanical performance. The incorporation of LLE significantly improved DPPH radical‐scavenging activity, reduced moisture content (19.76%–11.07%), and increased the water contact angle (27.2°–48.3°). When applied to King mandarins stored for 18 days, the LLE‐containing coatings exhibited different preservation advantages. The PPMP‐A coating containing 30% (w/w) LLE resulted in the slowest increase in the ripening index. The coating containing 50% (w/w) LLE provided the best visual quality and decay control, while retarding weight loss and changes in fruit firmness, total soluble solids, and titratable acidity. Overall, this formulation was selected as the most suitable for maintaining the marketable quality of mandarins, highlighting its potential as a bio‐based active coating for postharvest preservation applications.