Post-harvest diseases can be a huge problem for the tropical fruit sector. These fruits are generally consumed in natura; thus, their integrity and appearance directly affect commercialization and consumer desire. Anthracnose is caused by fungi of the genus Colletotrichum and affects tropical fruits, resulting in lesions that impair their appearance and consumption. Antifungals generally used to treat anthracnose can be harmful to human health, as well as to the environment. Therefore, essential oils (EO) have been investigated as natural biofungicides, successfully controlling anthracnose symptoms. The hydrophobicity, high volatility, and oxidative instability of essential oils limit their direct application; hence, these oils must be stabilized before food application. Distinct delivery systems have already been proposed to protect/stabilize EOs, and nanotechnology has recently reshaped the food application limits of EOs. This review presents robust data regarding nanotechnology application and EO antifungal properties, providing new perspectives to further improve the results already achieved in the treatment of anthracnose. Additionally, it evaluates the current scenario involving the application of EO directly or incorporated in films and coatings for anthracnose treatment in tropical fruits, which is of great importance, especially for those fruits intended for exportation that may have a prolonged shelf life.

This study aimed to verify the stability of cinnamon essential oil (CEO) nanoemulsions after their incorporation into polymer‐based coatings for the control of anthracnose in mangoes. A 0.75% CEO emulsion with Tween 80 was produced via ultrasonication and incorporated into sodium alginate (1%) and carboxymethylcellulose (0.5%) solutions, with or without calcium‐induced crosslinking. Physical stability (droplet size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, pH, whiteness, turbidity, and antifungal activity) was monitored over 28 days. Furthermore, the rheological behavior and efficacy of the active coatings were evaluated on mangoes artificially inoculated with Colletotrichum gloeosporioides . Crosslinked formulation showed lower variations in droplet size and PDI over time, indicating greater protection of CEO droplets within the structured polymeric network. All coating‐forming solutions exhibited pseudoplastic behavior; however, the incorporation of the nanoemulsion reduced viscosity compared with the base coating while maintaining adequate flow behavior for brush application. Notably, the crosslinked coating achieved a substantial mitigation of the disease, reaching up to 70% reduction in anthracnose lesion progression of the mangoes. Therefore, calcium crosslinking resulted in better long‐term maintenance of physicochemical and functional properties, confirming the efficiency of this strategy in enhancing the performance of CEO‐based active coatings for sustainable postharvest disease management.

This study investigated how the emulsification method of cinnamon essential oil (CEO) influences its dispersion characteristics and, consequently, the physicochemical and biological properties of active films based on sodium alginate and carboxymethylcellulose. Two systems were evaluated: a pre-emulsion obtained by Ultra-Turrax and an ultrasound-assisted emulsion produced by combining Ultra-Turrax and sonication. Although both dispersions presented droplet sizes within the nanometric range, the ultrasound-treated system exhibited significantly lower polydispersity index (0.2 ± 0.0) and smaller droplet size (40.2 ± 3.66 nm) compared to the pre-emulsion (67.9 ± 4.2 nm and 0.9 ± 0.0, respectively), indicating improved dispersion uniformity. This enhanced homogeneity resulted in films with a more compact and uniform microstructure, as well as improved thermal stability (endothermic peak at 175.2 °C ± 4.7 °C). In addition, films containing the ultrasound-assisted emulsion exhibited greater flexibility and extensibility, with higher elongation at break (4.88% ± 0.48%) and lower tensile strength (30.64 ± 0.77 MPa), suggesting a more effective plasticizing effect. CEO incorporation also provided UV-blocking capacity and reduced WVP regardless of the emulsification method. Both active films inhibited the growth of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides in the contact area, with no significant differences between systems. These results indicate that, under the evaluated conditions, dispersion uniformity, rather than nominal droplet size classification, plays a key role in governing film structure and performance, highlighting the relevance of ultrasound-assisted emulsification for improving functional properties of active biopolymer films.