The present study evaluated the effect of using electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL) as a barrier coating and black pepper oleoresin (OR) as a natural extract on the morphology, thermal, mechanical, antimicrobial, oxygen, and water vapor barrier properties of solvent cast gelatin (GEL). The antimicrobial activity of the developed multilayer system obtained by the so-called electrospinning coating technique was also evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus strains for 10 days. The results showed that the multilayer system containing PCL and OR increased the thermal resistance, elongated the GEL film, and significantly diminished its permeance to water vapor. Active multilayer systems stored in hermetically closed bottles increased their antimicrobial activity after 10 days by inhibiting the growth of Staphylococcus aureus. This study demonstrates that addition of electrospun PCL ultrathin fibers and OR improved the properties of GEL films, which promoted its potential use in active food packaging applications.

This study focused on the development of gelatin-based films with incorporation of microcrystalline cellulose as reinforcement material. Clove (Syzygium aromaticum), nutmeg (Myristica fragrans), and black pepper (Piper nigrum) oleoresins containing antimicrobial compounds of natural origin were incorporated into the films. The mechanical, thermal, optical, and structural properties, as well as color, seal strength and permeability to water vapor, light, and oil of the films were determined. Adding oleoresins to the gelatin matrix increased the elongation of the material and significantly diminished its permeability to water vapor and oil. Evaluation of the potential use of films containing different oleoresins as bread packaging material was influenced by the film properties. The biocomposite film containing oleoresin from black pepper was the most effective packaging material for maintaining bread’s quality characteristics.

Edible coatings provide food products with a barrier to gases and water vapor exchange; additionally, when complemented with antimicrobial agents, they can be suitable to extend food shelf life. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of using edible coatings based on achira starch (Canna indica L.), microcrystalline cellulose, and natural antimicrobial compounds (garlic and oregano oils) on the quality of double cream cheese during storage at 5 °C for 42 days. The physicochemical characteristics of the cheeses, such as weight loss, hardness, water activity, and color, were evaluated on days 1, 8, 21, and 42. The microbiological analyses were carried out on days 1, 21, and 42, and the sensorial analysis on days 1 and 42. The coated cheese samples maintained the pH value of fresh products during storage, whereas the pH of the uncoated samples progressively decreased. No effect (P≥0.05) was observed at the different storage times on the weight and color of the coated samples, as compared to the control. The hardness of the coated samples was lower (50% for oregano oil treatment and 18% for garlic oil treatment) at the end of the storage, with a significant difference (P≤0.05) from the control. Additionally, the use of coatings containing garlic or oregano oil prevented the growth of pathogenic or contaminating microorganisms on the product during 42-day storage. The results indicated that the use of edible coatings incorporating garlic or oregano oil as antimicrobial compounds are an alternative to extend the shelf life of double cream cheese.

Se evaluaron las propiedades fisicoquímicas, tecnológicas, microbiológicas y antioxidantes de epicarpio de maracuyá (EM, Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa). Los resultados mostraron un alto contenido de fibra dietaría tanto soluble como insoluble (26,62 y 44,84 g/100 g b.s. respectivamente) y alto contenido de proteína (11,87 g/100g b.s.). Con el fin de evaluar el potencial de uso de epicarpio de maracuyá como insumo para enriquecer productos alimenticios, se determinó la capacidad emulsionante (97%), capacidad de hinchamiento (28.63 g/g b.s.), capacidad de retención de aceite (4,06 g/g b.s.), solubilidad (0,71 g/g b.s.) y el contenido de carotenoides totales (3,86 mg β-carotenos/100 g). Adicionalmente, para la determinación de actividad antioxidante se utilizaron dos técnicas (DPPH y ABTS) con valores de actividad antioxidante del 33% (IC₅₀ ≥ 250 µg/ml) y 2,09 µm/g b.s. de EM respectivamente. Los resultados de este estudio evidenciaron el potencial de uso del epicarpio de maracuyá como ingrediente funcional en la industria alimentaria.