Title: Active antifungal edible coating based on nanocomposite cast films from galactomannan

Authors: Gustavo Pereira Gomes de Souza; Dirliane do Santos Duarte; Ana Valeria Vieira de Souza; Pedro Martins Ribeiro Júnior; Maria Auxiliadora Coelho de Lima; Douglas de Britto

Addresses: Material Science Department, Federal University of São Francisco Valley – UNIVASF, Petrolina, Brazil ' Material Science Department, Federal University of São Francisco Valley – UNIVASF, Petrolina, Brazil ' Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, Embrapa Semiarid, BR-428 Highway, Km 152, Rural Area – P.O. Box 23, 56302-970, Petrolina, PE, Brazil ' Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, Embrapa Semiarid, BR-428 Highway, Km 152, Rural Area – P.O. Box 23, 56302-970, Petrolina, PE, Brazil ' Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, Embrapa Semiarid, BR-428 Highway, Km 152, Rural Area – P.O. Box 23, 56302-970, Petrolina, PE, Brazil ' Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, Embrapa Semiarid, BR-428 Highway, Km 152, Rural Area – P.O. Box 23, 56302-970, Petrolina, PE, Brazil

Abstract: Galactomannan is a filmogenic polysaccharide suitable for edible coatings. The addition of nanoencapsulated active ingredients improves its antifungal activity. In this way, nanocomposite materials were developed based on galactomannan and nanoencapsulated essential oil and polyphenols, extracted, respectively from Lippia grata and grape skin by-products. The size of chitosan nanoparticles increased after encapsulation, varying from 42 ± 24 to 295 ± 0 nm for polyphenols. Overall, the nanoparticle suspension was stable, with encapsulation efficiency close to 20% for the essential oil and 90% for polyphenols. Nanocomposite films were isolated by casting and characterised by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), water vapour permeability, mechanical properties, release profile, and antifungal activity. By SEM, the films showed good nanoparticle dispersion in the matrix and improved mechanical properties compared to the non-added film. The sample based on essential oil showed good antifungal activity against Lasiodiplodia theobromae. Such properties make these films adequate for postharvest coating applications.

Keywords: edible film; mesquite gum; essential oil encapsulation; chitosan nanoparticle.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPTI.2023.136318

International Journal of Postharvest Technology and Innovation, 2023 Vol.9 No.1, pp.1 - 19

Received: 10 Nov 2021
Accepted: 11 Aug 2022
Published online: 30 Jan 2024 *

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