The aim of this study was to develop a chitosan/cellulose nanofibril (CNF) nanocomposite and evaluate its effect on strawberry’s postharvest quality after coating. From the results of color, thickness, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and permeability to water vapor analyses, the best film formulation for coating strawberries was determined. Three coating formulations were prepared: 1% chitosan, 1% chitosan + 3% CNF, and 1% chitosan + 5% CNF. The strawberries were immersed in the filmogenic solutions and kept under cold storage (1 ± 1°C). The color of the film was not affected by increased concentration of cellulose nanofibrils; however, the thickness and water vapor permeability were affected by the CNF addition. The coating with the highest CNF concentration performed better in reducing fruit mass and firmness loss. The color was positively influenced by the addition of the coating, regardless of formulation, as well as soluble solid content, PG enzymatic activity, and the fruit appearance. The pH and titratable acidity showed no significant difference among treatments. It was observed that the vitamin C, phenolic compounds, and anthocyanin content, as well as the PAL activity and the antioxidant activity (except for % protection), were affected by chitosan coating, however not by the addition of CNFs.

RESUMOO bioma Cerrado apresenta uma variedade de espécies frutíferas detentoras de características sensoriais peculiares pouco exploradas científica e comercialmente. Este trabalho teve como objetivo a caracterização química, física e nutricional dos frutos de curriola (Pouteria ramiflora), gabiroba (Campomanesia cambessedeana) e murici (Byrsonima verbascifolia), nativos do Cerrado brasileiro. A gabiroba apresentou elevada quantidade de vitamina C (383,33 mg/100g), bem como uma proporção significativa de polpa (81,52%). Por sua vez, a curriola apresentou teores consideráveis de fibra bruta (8,18%), enquanto o murici apresentou uma quantidade considerável de pectina (746,81 mg/100g), lipídeos (2,31%) e um expressivo potencial antioxidante (56 mg DPPH/g fruto). Desta forma, os resultados obtidos servem como base para pesquisas futuras no sentido da comprovação da presença de compostos bioativos e elaboração de produtos visando à agregação de valor aos frutos.

Pineapple is widely consumed and appreciated not only due to its taste and aroma, and also to its nutritional, functional and antioxidant properties, including its vitamin C and carotenoid contents. Brazil is one of the largest world’ pineapple producer, and Pérola and Smooth Cayenne cultivars are the most commonly grown and marketed, but their susceptibility to fusariosis can compromise cultivation. New cultivars resistant to this pathogen are available to meet the demands of pineapple producers and consumers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the content of bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity of pineapple fruits of Imperial, Victoria, IAC Fantástico and Gomo de Mel cultivars, as well as traditional Pérola and Smooth Cayenne cultivars. Fruits grown in the Triângulo Mineiro region were evaluated by colorimetry, determination of ascorbic acid and phenolic compounds by spectrometry, antioxidant activity by ABTS and carotenoid profile by HPLC. Regarding color, Gomo de Mel cultivar showed lower brightness and higher value of parameter b*, indicating a more intense yellow color in this fruit. This result is consistent with the highest carotenoid concentration in this cultivar. Another cultivar that stood out was Imperial, which, while maintaining high carotenoid levels, also showed high concentrations of vitamin C and phenolic compounds, and higher antioxidant activity. Victoria cultivar showed low levels of bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity, even lower than IAC Fantástico cultivar, which showed levels of bioactive compounds similar to traditional Pérola and Smooth Cayenne cultivars.