Agri-Waste Derived Biocatalysts for Postharvest Preservation: Extending Shelf-Life of Fresh Produce via Enzyme Immobilisation

Postharvest losses of fresh fruits and vegetables remain a critical global challenge, driving the need for sustainable preservation technologies. Previous research has demonstrated the efficacy of biopolymer-based edible coatings, including chitosan and alginate formulations with natural bioactive compounds, for maintaining the quality of perishable commodities such as pomegranate arils and berries. However, the integration of biocatalytic functionality into such systems—enabling active degradation of spoilage-inducing phenolic compounds and ethylene precursors—remains underexplored. This conference paper proposes a novel biocatalytic framework that valorises abundant agricultural residues (fruit pomace, seed husks, sawdust) as cost-effective support matrices for enzyme immobilisation. Building directly on established findings regarding the role of antioxidant and antimicrobial agents in shelf-life extension, the proposed approach immobilises oxidoreductase enzymes (laccase, peroxidase) onto chemically activated agri-waste-derived porous materials. These green biocatalysts are designed to be integrated into bioactive packaging or edible coating systems, where they would continuously degrade phenolic oxidation products and inhibit surface microbial growth. Preliminary analysis suggests that such enzyme-support conjugates retain significant catalytic activity over multiple cycles while reducing reliance on synthetic preservatives. This work extends the research trajectory from passive barrier coatings toward active, catalytically functional preservation systems. The findings align with ECCS 2026 sessions on Biocatalysis (S4) and Biomass Catalysis (S5), offering a circular economy solution for postharvest technology.