Bio-based nanoparticle coatings were developed using nanomaterials extracted from sweetpotato peels and combined with other biopolymers to reduce postharvest deterioration of sweetpotato roots and other fresh produce items. The sustainable coating materials applied as thin films to the surface of washed sweetpotato roots reduced postharvest deterioration, weight loss, and respiration rate, while maintaining root market quality. Chemical and physical characterization was made of the cellulose nanomaterials (CNMs), pectin, and phenolic compounds from ‘Beauregard’ sweet potato peel tissue. The peel contained 40.2% cellulose, 19.1 % lignin, 10.8% hemicellulose and 29.8% pectin. The extracted CNMs from the peel tissue showed a high degree of crystallinity, particularly for cellulose nanocrystals. The CNMs and pectin fractions formed stable water dispersions with strong shear thinning behavior suitable for coating application. The thin films formed by the CNMs and pectin fractions exhibited an entangled fiber network structure with significantly reduced water and gas permeability. Our results demonstrated the feasibility of using sweetpotato peel tissue as an integral component in a bio-based nanoparticle film coating.
