Title: Effects of the exopolysaccharide from Porphyridium cruentum coating on polyphenol oxidase activity and colour of fresh-cut banana during cold storage

Authors: Charlotte Bertrand; Maria Filomena De Jesus Raposo; Rui Manuel Santos Costa De Morais; Alcina Maria Miranda Bernardo De Morais

Addresses: CBQF – Centro de Biotecnologia e Química Fina – Laboratório Associado, Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Portuguesa/Porto, Rua Arquiteto Lobão Vital, Apartado 2511, 4202-401 Porto, Portugal ' CBQF – Centro de Biotecnologia e Química Fina – Laboratório Associado, Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Portuguesa/Porto, Rua Arquiteto Lobão Vital, Apartado 2511, 4202-401 Porto, Portugal ' CBQF – Centro de Biotecnologia e Química Fina – Laboratório Associado, Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Portuguesa/Porto, Rua Arquiteto Lobão Vital, Apartado 2511, 4202-401 Porto, Portugal ' CBQF – Centro de Biotecnologia e Química Fina – Laboratório Associado, Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Portuguesa/Porto, Rua Arquiteto Lobão Vital, Apartado 2511, 4202-401 Porto, Portugal

Abstract: Fresh-cut fruits are highly susceptible to enzymatic browning. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the exopolysaccharide (EPS) from the marine microalga Porphyridium cruentum on polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity and colour of 'Cavendish' banana slices during storage at 4°C. The banana slices became browner (L* values and/or chroma values decreased, and/or a* increased), while PPO activity of coated samples remained approximately constant throughout storage. EPS 5 g.L⁻¹ solution could be used as a coating to prevent the browning of 'Cavendish' banana slices, although after six days of storage the results obtained on colour and PPO activity were very similar to those of carrageenan.

Keywords: edible coatings; carrageenan; exopolysaccharide; Porphyridium cruentum; EPS; PPO activity; banana colour; refrigerated storage; postharvest innovation; polyphenol oxidase activity; cold storage; fresh-cut fruits; enzymatic browning.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPTI.2015.074320

International Journal of Postharvest Technology and Innovation, 2015 Vol.5 No.2, pp.167 - 176

Received: 21 Aug 2015
Accepted: 04 Sep 2015
Published online: 22 Jan 2016 *

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