Washable essential oil emulsion coatings to extend the shelf life and enhance the safety of organic fruits and vegetables

The overall research goal of this OREI project is to develop and implement organic compliant coatings with organic essential oils (EOs) to enhance postharvest quality and safety, while the overall extension goal is to train organic producers, packers, and technical service providers with innovative postharvest quality and safety knowledge and disseminate research findings.The objectives are to(1) Formulate organic compliant essential oil coatings,(2) Reduce native fungi and foodborne human pathogens on organic produce with EO coatings,(3) Evaluate shelf-life and quality of coated organic fruits and vegetables,(4) Assess consumer acceptability and economic analysis of coating organic fruits and vegetables, and(5) Train organic producers, packers, and technical service providers and disseminate project findings.