Prefreezing application of whey protein-based edible coating to maintain quality attributes of strawberries

Prefreezing application of whey protein concentrate (WPC)‐based edible coating to maintain quality attributes of strawberries was studied. Beeswax (BW) was added to the solutions (0%, 20% and 40% with respect to the solids contained in the mixture WPC/glycerol). Coated and control fruits were frozen, stored at −20 °C and thawed. After thawing, weight loss, firmness, microstructure and colour parameters were measured. Coating with 20% BW reduced strawberries weight loss after thawing (55%). Strawberries firmness was maintained equally in all groups analysed although a slight improvement at the cell microstructure alterations caused by the freezing process was observed in coated fruits. Strawberries brightness was similar in all groups. Colour parameter a* showed a tendency to decrease with the increasing BW concentration, and only b* of coated fruits was lower than controls. The application of whey protein coating could be an attractive treatment to maintain quality attributes of strawberries undergoing the freezing process.