Systematic comparison of the effects of different treatments on the shelf-life storage of citrus fruits and screening of preservation measures: A frequency network meta-analysis

Background: Citrus fruits are highly prone to postharvest losses, requiring effective and eco-friendly preservation strategies. This study evaluates various treatments to identify optimal measures for extending citrus shelf-life. Method: A Bayesian network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials was performed, comparing 27 preservation treatments and synthesizing standardized mean differences of key indicators to rank efficacy. Result: Specific treatments outperformed for distinct goals: cinnamon oil-konjac gum coatings retained firmness and reduced weight loss; hydroxypropyl methylcellulose-chitosan composites controlled decay and acidity; bioactive treatments boosted secondary metabolites and antioxidant enzyme activities. Conclusion: This meta-analysis provides evidence-based rankings of citrus preservation treatments, guiding strategies to cut losses, boost quality and advance sustainability. No single treatment is universally optimal, so future studies should focus on multi-objective optimization for balanced integrated protocols.