Green extraction techniques and advanced coating technologies for development of edible film valorizing fruit and vegetables peels

Agriculture faces persistent postharvest losses owing to inadequate packaging and preservation methods. While existing reviews have focused on commercial biopolymers for edible coatings, a systematic analysis of fruit and vegetable waste-derived films remains fragmented, lacking a comprehensive evaluation of their functional potential. This review addresses this gap by synthesizing current research on edible coatings developed from pomace and peels and evaluating their viability as sustainable packaging alternatives. The literature reveals that waste peels, which are rich in polysaccharides, phenolic compounds, and bioactive substances, offer promising biodegradable film materials. However, extraction optimization varies significantly across studies, with inconsistent reports on bioactivity retention. Current research demonstrates moderate barrier properties and adequate mechanical strength for peel-based films, although moisture resistance requires hydrophobic enhancement. The effectiveness of application methods varies depending on the formulation. This review identifies critical research gaps, including standardization challenges, scalability issues, and performance optimization needs. This study synthesizes fragmented knowledge to establish a framework that advances the commercial viability of waste-derived edible coatings for sustainable food preservation. Fruit peels are rich sources of polysaccharides, phenolic compounds, and bioactive ideal for biodegradable edible films. Novel extraction methods (microwave, ultrasound, enzymeassisted) improve bioactive retention in peel-based films. Peel-derived films show moderate mechanical strength and barrier properties; moisture resistance needs enhancement. Application techniques like dipping, spraying, and layer-by-layer improve coating uniformity and food preservation. SWOT and roadmap frameworks can guide overcoming bottlenecks in standardization, scaling, and peel logistics for commercialization.