Development and Evaluation of Chitosan-Based Food Coatings for Exotic Fruit Preservation.

Chitosan has gained agro-industrial interest due to its potential applications in food preservation. In this work, chitosan applications for exotic fruit coating, using feijoa as a case of study, were evaluated. For this, we synthetized and characterized chitosan from shrimp shells and tested its performance. Chemical formulations for coating preparation using chitosan were proposed and tested. Mechanical properties, porosity, permeability, and fungal and bactericidal characteristics were used to verify the potential application of the film in the protection of fruits. The results indicated that synthetized chitosan has comparable properties to commercial chitosan (deacetylation degree > 82%), and, for the case of feijoa, the chitosan coating achieved significant reduction of microorganisms and fungal growth (0 UFC/mL for sample 3). Further, membrane permeability allowed oxygen exchange suitable for fruit freshness and natural physiological weight loss, thus delaying oxidative degradation and prolonging shelf-life. Chitosan's characteristic of a permeable film proved to be a promising alternative for the protection and extension of the freshness of post-harvest exotic fruits.

Use of Chlorella sp. for coating tommy atkins mango fruits stored under refrigeration / Uso de Chlorella sp. no recobrimento de manga tommy atkins armazenada sob refrigeração

The number of studies on edible coatings that are used for extending the shelf life of fruits has steadilyincreased. For this purpose, it is necessary to choose raw materials with characteristics that maintainproduct quality. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of coatings of Chlorella sp. on thepost-harvest conservation of ‘Tommy Atkins mango fruits. The experiment was conducted using acompletely randomized design, and spray treatments (T) with 0%, 1%, 2%, 3%, or 4% of Chlorella sp.were applied to the fruits. After the treatments, the fruits were stored for 28 days (21 days at 10 °C and42% relative humidity and 7 days at 25 °C and 42% relative humidity), and were analyzed on day 28.There was higher pulp firmness in fruits as the concentration of Chlorella sp. was increased, and theconcentration of ascorbic acid was comparatively higher (22.17%) in fruits treated with 3% Chlorellasp. The percentage of soluble solids and the soluble solids/titratable acidity ratio were decreased as thecoating concentrations were decreased. The use of Chlorella sp. at 1% and 2% allowed fruit maturationwithout compromising fruit quality attributes during the 28-day storage period.(AU)

O interesse em estudos sobre recobrimentos comestíveis têm crescido constantemente com a finalidade de estender a vida de prateleira dos frutos. Para isso é necessário à escolha de matérias-primas que possuam em sua constituição características que ajudem na manutenção da qualidade. Neste sentido, o objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de recobrimentos de Chlorella sp. sob a conservação pós-colheita de manga Tommy Atkins. O experimento foi instalado em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, em que os tratamentos (T) foram constituídos por 0%, 1%, 2%, 3% e 4% de Chlorella sp. aplicadas nos frutos, sob aspersão. Após a aplicação dos tratamentos, as mangas permaneceram durante 21 dias a 10 ºC e 42%UR e, em seguida, 7 dias a 25 ºC e 42%UR, sendo analisadas aos 28 dias de armazenamento. Verificou-se maior firmeza de polpa na manga com o aumento nas concentrações do recobrimento de Chlorella sp. e maior conteúdo de ácido ascórbico (22,17%) nos frutos tratados com 3% de Chlorella sp. Houve redução nos sólidos solúveis e na relação SS/AT com o aumento nas concentrações do recobrimento. O uso do recobrimento de Chlorella sp. na concentração de 1% e 2%, proporciona amadurecimento sem prejuízo nos atributos de qualidade dos frutos durante o armazenamento a 10 ºC e 7 dias a 25 ºC e 42%UR.(AU)

Use of Chlorella sp. for coating tommy atkins mango fruits stored under refrigeration / Uso de Chlorella sp. no recobrimento de manga tommy atkins armazenada sob refrigeração

The number of studies on edible coatings that are used for extending the shelf life of fruits has steadilyincreased. For this purpose, it is necessary to choose raw materials with characteristics that maintainproduct quality. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of coatings of Chlorella sp. on thepost-harvest conservation of ‘Tommy Atkins’ mango fruits. The experiment was conducted using acompletely randomized design, and spray treatments (T) with 0%, 1%, 2%, 3%, or 4% of Chlorella sp.were applied to the fruits. After the treatments, the fruits were stored for 28 days (21 days at 10 °C and42% relative humidity and 7 days at 25 °C and 42% relative humidity), and were analyzed on day 28.There was higher pulp firmness in fruits as the concentration of Chlorella sp. was increased, and theconcentration of ascorbic acid was comparatively higher (22.17%) in fruits treated with 3% Chlorellasp. The percentage of soluble solids and the soluble solids/titratable acidity ratio were decreased as thecoating concentrations were decreased. The use of Chlorella sp. at 1% and 2% allowed fruit maturationwithout compromising fruit quality attributes during the 28-day storage period.

O interesse em estudos sobre recobrimentos comestíveis têm crescido constantemente com a finalidade de estender a vida de prateleira dos frutos. Para isso é necessário à escolha de matérias-primas que possuam em sua constituição características que ajudem na manutenção da qualidade. Neste sentido, o objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de recobrimentos de Chlorella sp. sob a conservação pós-colheita de manga Tommy Atkins. O experimento foi instalado em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, em que os tratamentos (T) foram constituídos por 0%, 1%, 2%, 3% e 4% de Chlorella sp. aplicadas nos frutos, sob aspersão. Após a aplicação dos tratamentos, as mangas permaneceram durante 21 dias a 10 ºC e 42%UR e, em seguida, 7 dias a 25 ºC e 42%UR, sendo analisadas aos 28 dias de armazenamento. Verificou-se maior firmeza de polpa na manga com o aumento nas concentrações do recobrimento de Chlorella sp. e maior conteúdo de ácido ascórbico (22,17%) nos frutos tratados com 3% de Chlorella sp. Houve redução nos sólidos solúveis e na relação SS/AT com o aumento nas concentrações do recobrimento. O uso do recobrimento de Chlorella sp. na concentração de 1% e 2%, proporciona amadurecimento sem prejuízo nos atributos de qualidade dos frutos durante o armazenamento a 10 ºC e 7 dias a 25 ºC e 42%UR.