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The aim of this study was to assess how the application of Limosilactobacillus fermentumBAL-21-ITTG in alginate-based edible coatings to osmodehydrated papaya pieces affects the physicochemical and organoleptic properties of the fruit. The papaya was sliced, and these pieces were osmodehydrated at 40 °C in a sucrose solution (45 °Brix) for 6 h. Subsequently, the osmodehydrated papaya pieces (OPPs) were dried for an additional 6 h at 40 °C. The OPPs were categorized into four groups and subjected to the following treatments: T1 (coated with a sodium alginate solution and L. fermentum, followed by gelation with CaCl2); T2 (coated with a sodium alginate solution and L. fermentum); T3 (coated with L. fermentum); and T4 (uncoated). Subsequently, the OPPs were stored in polyethylene containers at 4 °C for a duration of 34 days. The viability of L. fermentumand its survival during gastrointestinal simulation, as well as physicochemical, microbiological, and organoleptic properties were assessed during storage. The T1 treatment exhibited increased firmness throughout storage and sustained higher L. fermentumviability (8.88 log CFU/g) with a 98% survival rate during gastrointestinal simulation. The sodium alginate coatings, serving as a carrier for L. fermentumaddition, enhanced the organoleptic attributes of the OPPs over the 34-day storage period. Sodium alginate sourced from S. fluitansis suitable for food applications. Therefore, this technology, involving the addition of sodium alginate from S. fluitansand L. fermentum, could be employed for functional food production and industrial applications.

The high susceptibility to deterioration and diseases during the supply chain and/or during the storage of fresh products is a problem in the industry, and edible films are proposed as efficient methods to preserve its quality. The objective was to obtain and characterize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and determine their effect on optical, barrier and mechanical properties of alginate-based films. The alginate was extracted from Sargassum fluitans. AgNPs were obtained by green synthesis using Gliricidia sepium. The UV–Vis and dynamic light scattering (DLS) were used to characterize the AgNPs. The antifungal activity of AgNPs was investigated using several fungal strains. Films were formulated by using 2 and 3% alginate, as well as 0, 1, and 2 mg of AgNPs per mL of formulation, with glycerol as a plasticizer. A randomized experimental design was used to test the effect to alginate and the AgNPs concentrations. The results were analyzed by an ANOVA test (p< 0.05). The films were characterized by water vapor permeability (WVP), mechanical properties, opacity, color, glass transition and melting temperatures, as well as scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-Ray (EDS) spectroscopy. WVP, optical and mechanical properties of the films were influenced statistically with alginate and AgNPs concentrations. The PVA values varied between 0.83 and 1.74 g mm h−1kPa−1m−2. The results demonstrated that films made with higher alginate and AgNPs concentrations exhibited higher tensile strength (20.35 MPa) and elongation at break (74.56%). The AgNPs showed percentages of growth inhibition higher than 79% in all fungal strains tested. The films formulated had attractive properties that are used to extend shelf life of foods.

AbstractThe aim of this investigation was to determine the effect of vermicompost (V) and phosphate rock (PR) on blackberry (Rubus fruticosusL. agg.) plants inoculated with Glomus mosseae(Nicol. & Gerd.) Gerdemann & Trappe (AMF). Plant growth parameters, total phenol compounds and total flavonoids were evaluated on leaves. Anthocyanin contents, soluble solids (SS), pH, titratable acidity (TA) and SS/TA ratio was evaluated in blackberries fruits. Blackberry plants were obtained from cuttings from field plants, which were distributed in soil according to a randomized complete block design with three repetitions. Treatments were vermicompost (10░g plant−1), phosphate rock (1░g plant−1), Glomus mosseae(AMF), (1░g plant−1), PR + AMF, V + PR, V +AMF, V + PR+ AMF and control without any amended. Plant height and stem diameter were measured five months after treatments, while total phenols and total flavonoids in leaves were evaluated eight months later. Anthocyanins, SS, pH, and TA were determined in blackberry fruits ten months after. Plant height was not statistically affected (p≤0.05), although total phenol compounds were higher (21.1░mg g−1dry plant) in the V+PR+AMF treatment, whereas the V + AMF treatment produced more dry plant total flavonoids (1.4░mg g−1), compared with control plants. Blackberries produced with the vermicompost treatment had more anthocyanins (9.54░mg g−1) than control plants. Soluble solids, pH and titratable acidity were not statistically (p≤0.05) affected by any treatment.

ABSTRACTThe aim of this investigation was to determine the effect of vermicompost, vermiwash, and phosphate rock on plant, total phenols, flavonoids, and anti-oxidant activity in Piper auritumKunth leaves. P. auritumplants were obtained from cuttings and were planted according to the Box-Behnken experimental design with three repetitions at the central point. The factors and levels were vermicompost (10, 20, and 30 g plant−1), vermiwash (5, 10, and 15 mL plant−1), and phosphate rock (1, 2, and 3 g plant−1). Plant growth parameters (plant height, stem diameter, leaves number) and chlorophyll content were measured 1 month after treatment applications. Total phenols, total flavonoids, and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl radical scavenging activity was measured after 4 months. Vermicompost, vermiwash, and phosphate rock had no statistically significant effect on plant growth. Plant height, stem diameter, leaves number, chlorophyll, innermost number, fresh weight stem, fresh weight leaves, fresh weight root, dry weight stem, dry weight leaves, and dry weight root were not different among treatments. Total phenolic compounds were statistically affected for both vermiwash and phosphoric rock (p< 0.05) and the anti-oxidant activity decreased by vermicompost addition. The application of 15 mL plant−1vermiwash, 1 g phosphate rock, and 20 g vermicompost plant−1increased the total phenol content.