During the Tang Dynasty, Yang Guifei was renowned for her fondness for lychees. However, the perishable nature of lychees, which "lose their color in one day, their fragrance in two, and their flavor in three," made it extremely challenging to preserve their freshness even with the swiftest horses and relay stations during long-distance transportation. Nowadays, the advent of edible packaging film technology has revolutionized the preservation of fruits and vegetables. This study provides a comprehensive review of the fabrication techniques, properties, and applications of edible films in fruits and vegetables preservation. From solution casting and extrusion to electrospinning and 3D printing, a variety of fabrication methods have enabled the optimization of edible film performance. By incorporating nanoparticles, natural additives, and crosslinking agents, these films have demonstrated significant improvements in mechanical strength, water vapor permeability, antioxidant activity, and antimicrobial properties, offering robust technical support for the preservation of fruits and vegetables. With its environmentally friendly and highly efficient preservation capabilities, edible film technology is paving the way for a new chapter in food preservation.

Food Innovation and Advances 4(1): 43−52 doi: 10.48130/fia-0025-0003

Apples (Malus × domestica Borkh.), a symbol of health and heritage, nourish billions worldwide. Yet their hidden biochemical symphony—shaped by genes and geography—remains a scientific frontier. Leveraging 1H NMR metabolomics, this study deciphers the metabolic fingerprints of 22 apple cultivars across Shanxi Province, China, unearthing striking diversity in sugars, amino acids, and organic acids. ‘Xinhongxing’ dazzles with asparagine-rich profiles, while high-altitude ‘Hongjiangjun’ accumulates malate, a testament to terroir’s invisible hand. Discover how condensed polyphenols dance with asparagine, and quinic acid partners with phenylalanine—correlations rewriting the playbook for quality-driven breeding. Bridging metabolomics with environmental analytics, this work illuminates precision agriculture strategies to tailor apples for global palates.

Food Innovation and Advances 4(1): 116−126 doi: 10.48130/fia-0025-0012