Evaluation of chitosan coatings enriched with turmeric and green tea extracts on postharvest preservation of strawberries. (15th June 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yang, Chun; Lu, Jia-Hao; Xu, Mei-Ting; Shi, Xin-Chi; Song, Zhi-Wei; Chen, Tang-Min; Herrera-Balandrano, Daniela D.; Zhang, Yun-Jiao; Laborda, Pedro; Shahriar, Mahdi; Wang, Su-Yan
• Is Part Of: Lebensmittel-Wissenschaft + Technologie =. Volume 163(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-06-15
• Subjects: Strawberry preservation -- Chitosan coating -- Turmeric -- Tea extract -- Botrytis cinerea; Food industry and trade -- Periodicals; Food -- Composition -- Periodicals; Microbiology -- Periodicals; Nutrition -- Periodicals; 664.005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.lwt.2022.113551
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0023-6438

Abstract

Abstract: Strawberries are a widely consumed fruit that contains a variety of antioxidant metabolites. However, postharvest strawberries are highly perishable and susceptible to a variety of fungal pathogens. In this study, a chitosan-based coating containing turmeric (TU) and green tea (GT) extracts was developed and evaluated for the preservation of strawberries. Both TU and GT extracts contained high phenolic contents (>5.8 g kg −1 dry weight), but only TU extract showed strong antifungal activity. SEM observations revealed that high concentrations of extract (3–5% v/v ) caused the formation of agglomerates within the films, reduced elongation at break and increased tensile strength. The postharvest treatment of strawberries with chitosan coating containing TU extract inhibited the proliferation of Botrytis cinerea during 7 d of storage at 20 °C, whereas the coating containing GT extract extended the antioxidant properties of postharvest strawberries from 4 to 8 d at 20 °C. Sensory analysis indicated that the coatings did not significantly affect flavor and taste. Overall, TU extract was used for the first time for food packaging purposes and proved to be a great complement to the antioxidant properties of GT to extend the shelf-life of postharvest strawberries. Highlights: Chitosan-based films containing turmeric and green tea extracts were evaluated. Turmeric extract addition improved the antifungal activity against B. cinerea. Green tea extract addition enhanced the antioxidant capacity of the film. The tensile strength of the film increased after adding the extracts. The developed films extended the shelf-life of postharvest strawberries.