Association of agro-industrial waste in the formulation of active chitosan and gelatin-based coatings: valorization of pomegranate and almond peel extracts as sources of phenolic compounds

• Grant number: 22/04977-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate (Direct)
• Start date: October 10, 2022
• End date: April 09, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Analytical Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Stanislau Bogusz Junior
• Grantee: Mirella Romanelli Vicente Bertolo
• Supervisor: Alyson Mitchell
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química de São Carlos (IQSC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of California, Davis (UC Davis), United States
• Associated to the scholarship: 19/18748-8 - Chemical composition of strawberries coated with biofilm-based on pomegranate peel extract, chitosan, and gelatin, BP.DD

Abstract

Edible coatings are membranes or films formed by biopolymers, which aim to reduce the transpiration and respiration rates of fruits. The use of that biocoatings can extend the shelf life of foods while preserving their sensory characteristics. Chitosan and gelatin are two natural polymers that stand out in the area, due to their non-toxicity, biodegradability, and ease film formation. The active properties of their coatings, such as the antioxidant and antimicrobial, can be improved by the inclusion of plant extracts, rich in bioactive compounds such as phenols and flavonoids. Another advantage brought by the employment of these extracts is the reuse of agro-industrial waste in a value-added application. The aim of this project is to evaluate the effects of combining two agro-industrial waste extracts, pomegranate peel and almonds peel, to improve the active properties of chitosan and gelatin-based coatings. Pomegranate peel and almond peel extracts will be obtained by optimized ultrasound-assisted extraction, and the chemical compositions of the extracts will be determined by HPLC-MS/MS. The obtained extracts will be applied to coatings based on chitosan and gelatin, individually and associated, and the materials will have their active properties determined, like their total phenolic content and their antioxidant activities against both ABTS and DPPH radicals. Finally, the biopolymers will be used to cover strawberries to extend the shelf life and improve the microbiological quality of fruits. (AU)