| Texto completo | |
| Autor(es): |
Chevalier, Raquel Costa
;
Vieira, Jorge M.
;
Martins, Joana T.
;
Cunha, Rosiane Lopes
;
Vicente, Antonio A.
Número total de Autores: 5
|
| Tipo de documento: | Artigo Científico |
| Fonte: | FOOD AND BIOPRODUCTS PROCESSING; v. 155, p. 10-pg., 2026-01-01. |
| Resumo | |
Cellulose nanofibers (CNF) can be used as biocompatible reinforcing agents in biodegradable films to be applied on food products, such as fruits, to protect them. Tomato is an extremely perishable fruit that can easily spoil due to inadequate handling or storage conditions in the post-harvest period, including contamination by microorganisms. In this context, the aim of this work was to develop biopolymeric films/coatings with improved barrier properties through the incorporation of CNF, in addition to the incorporation of Pickering emulsions (PE) containing oregano oil as an antimicrobial agent to increase the shelf life of tomatoes. In vitro cell viability assays showed that CNF concentrations (up to 7.5 % w/w) added to the films were not cytotoxic to cells. Pectin (P) films with CNF and/or PE were produced and characterized to understand the role of CNF and PE on water vapor permeability and mechanical properties. Hydrophobicity, assessed by water contact angle, increased with addition of PE (64.40 degrees) and CNF (73.40 degrees) compared to P-based (60.43 degrees) films, although tensile strength decreased (1.05 MPa for CNF- and 1.71 for PE-films, compared to 2.22 MPa for P-films). Interestingly, incorporation of CNF and PE did not affect the transparency of the films, although films containing only PE or containing PE and CNF showed the ability to completely block UV light. Based on these results, the same formulations were used to produce film-forming solutions (FFS) that were used as coatings on the tomato surface. Coated and uncoated tomatoes were stored at 4 degrees C for 12 days and their physicochemical and microbiological characteristics were assessed during storage. Application of the coating was effective in controlling microbial growth, demonstrating that P films incorporating CNF and PE are an attractive solution to extend the shelf-life of perishable tomato fruits, especially in relation to molds and yeasts, where the PE coating did not show growth over the 12 days of storage. Regarding the total viable count, all coatings showed an increase throughout storage, however the lowest count was for the P/PE/CNF coating, demonstrating its potential as a solution for packaging vegetables aiming at longer shelf life. (AU) | |
| Processo FAPESP: | 19/27354-3 - Arquitetura de sistemas de liberação coloidais: qual é o papel da estrutura na digestibilidade? |
| Beneficiário: | Rosiane Lopes da Cunha |
| Modalidade de apoio: | Auxílio à Pesquisa - Temático |