This study investigated the efficacy of an innovative edible coating, composed of fungal chitosan and alginate, functionalized with Lacticaseibacillus casei LC03, in both free and microencapsulated forms, to extend the shelf life and enhance the nutritional value of strawberries. L. casei LC03 cells were successfully encapsulated in alginate microparticles (MAL) and further coated with chitosan (MALC), resulting in enhanced protection (cell reduction below 1.4 CFU/mL), viability (8.02 log CFU/mL), and encapsulation efficiencies exceeding 90%. The edible coating with L. casei microencapsulated in alginate and coated with fungal chitosan (CACLM) significantly improved strawberry preservation by maintaining pH (3.16 ± 0.41), titratable acidity (0.94 ± 0.20), moisture (90.74 ± 0.27), and microbial quality, and delayed the decrease in total phenolic compounds (below 40%) during the storage time of strawberries. While coatings with free L. casei (CALF) slightly reduced color parameters (L* value 29.13 ± 2.05), those with chitosan (CACLM) demonstrated lower weight loss (below 6%). Overall, the alginate–chitosan coating, particularly when combined with microencapsulated L. casei, proved effective in maintaining the quality, safety, and nutritional value of strawberries during refrigerated storage, highlighting its potential for developing functional, eco-friendly packaging solutions. This research contributes to the development of sustainable food preservation strategies and functional foods.

Biomolecules of microbial origin are gaining attention for their use in various industries, including cosmetics, due to their broad bioactivities, peculiar properties, and sustainability. This study aimed to develop a novel, eco-friendly nanoemulsion from fungal chitosan hydrochloride (ChC), Pseudomonas aeruginosa biosurfactant (PaB), and grape seed oil (GSO), and to assess its antimicrobial action, biofilm control, and biocompatibility. High-energy emulsification was performed to produce the nanoemulsion (CCh-PaB-GSO), which was characterized by FTIR. Its stability was monitored for 30 days via DLS, zeta potential (ZP), and PDI. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for cariogenic Streptococcus species, inhibitory fraction concentration (FIC), influence on exopolysaccharide (EPS) quantification produced by bacteria, bacteria’s cell wall hydrophobicity, and biofilm control were determined. Biocompatibility was assessed using the HET-CAM technique by determining the irritation potential. FTIR analysis confirmed the formation the interaction between the substances that compound the nanoemulsion. The CCh-PaB-GSO had nanometric micelles (169.5–203.4 nm), PDI (0.241–0.271), and a positive ZP (+20.25 to +31.94 mV). It showed a consistent MIC (2.0 mg/mL CCh, 0.1 mg/mL PaB, and 3.2 mg/mL GSO) for all tested Streptococcus species and an indifferent interaction effect, FIC (1.32). At sub-MIC, the CCh-PaB-GSO effectively reduced EPS and microbial cell wall hydrophobicity, inhibiting biofilm adhesion. The CCh-PaB-GSO demonstrated biocompatibility with no signs of irritation. In conclusion, the ChC-PaB-GSO system forms an effective and stable nanoemulsion with potential for application as an eco-sustainable and biocompatible product for caries control.

O crescimento da fruticultura irrigada e incremento de novas tecnologias vêm estimulando a expansão das agroindústrias processadoras de frutas, gerando volume de resíduos descartados inadequadamente, causando contaminação ambiental. Estes resíduos podem apresentar grande potencial, pois além de possuírem açúcares, vitaminas, sais minerais e fibras apresentam teores significantes de compostos bioativos. Essa pesquisa objetivou identificar, quantificar e purificar antocianinas do resíduo de uva, cultivar Isabel (Vitis Labrusca L.), de unidade processadora de polpa congelada. As antocianinas foram quantificadas por Ph diferencial e sua purificação, por cartuchos Sep-Pak C18. Análises cromatográficas foram efetuadas para identificação e quantificação das antocianinas por CLAE-DAD em fase reversa. A atividade antioxidante das antocianinas purificadas foi avaliada por capacidade de sequestrar os radicais DPPH• (1,1-difenil-2-picrilhidrazil) e ABTS•+ (2,2’-azino-bis-3-etilbenzotiazolina-6-ácido-sulfônico), tendo o ácido gálico como referência. As antocianinas totais no resíduo de uva foi de 35,56 ± 0,33 mg 100g-1. Seis antocianinas majoritárias foram identificadas: cianidina-3-O-glicosídeo; delfinidina-3-O-glicosídeo; malvidina-3-O-glicosídeo; malvidina-3,5-O-glicosídeo; pelargonidina-3-O-glicosídeo; e peonidina-3-O-glicosídeo, em diferentes concentrações. Malvidina-3-O-glicosídeo foi a mais abundante (56,36%) seguida da peonidina-3-O-glicosídeo (17,88%). As antocianinas purificadas apresentaram boa eficiência frente ao radical DPPH• (EC50 de 0,14 ± 0,01 g. g DPPH-1 e TEC50 < 5 minutos) e forte capacidade de sequestro (> 80%). Frente ao radical ABTS•+ as antocianinas apresentaram capacidade de sequestro de 241,36 ± 3,74 µmol TEAC. g-1 de amostra. Evidencia-se que o resíduo da indústria de polpa congelada de uva pode ser considerado boa fonte de antocianinas, com potencial para ser utilizado como antioxidante natural em novos produtos alimentícios.

The sustainable reuse of industrial by-products in fermentation processes supports the transition toward a circular bioeconomy. This study evaluated the production yield of fungal chitosan (FuCho) by nine Mucorales strains, including novel species isolated from Brazilian biomes, cultivated in alternative culture media composed of corn steep liquor (CSL) and biodiesel-derived glycerol (GLY). Furthermore, the physicochemical properties, potential of irritation, and broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity of the extracted FuCho were investigated. Among the strains tested in CSL-GLY medium, FuCho yields ranged from $17.88\mathrm{mg}/\mathrm{g}$ (Absidia aguabelensis) to $126.56\mathrm{mg}/\mathrm{g}$ (Absidia caatinguensis). Optimization using a $2^2$ central composite rotatable design (CCRD) yielded maximum FuCho productions of $128.26\mathrm{mg}/\mathrm{g}$ for A. caatinguensis (center point condition) and $164.92\mathrm{mg}/\mathrm{g}$ for Cunninghamella elegans (lower CSL concentration). Physicochemical characterization revealed degrees of deacetylation of 85% (A. caatinguensis) and 75% (C. elegans), crystallinity indices of 36.74% and 37.93%, and viscometric molecular weights ($M_v$) of $1.6\times {10}^3\mathrm{g}/\mathrm{mol}$ and $2.0\times {10}^3\mathrm{g}/\mathrm{mol}$, respectively. In the HET-CAM assay, both FuCho samples were classified as non-irritating, exhibiting no inflammatory, vascular, or vasoconstrictive effects. FuCho demonstrated minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) against all tested pathogenic bacterial strains and Candida species, with A. caatinguensis FuCho displaying lower MIC values for the majority of microorganisms compared to C. elegans FuCho. Confocal laser scanning microscopy confirmed a significant reduction in microbial cell viability, driven by membrane disruption in Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. These findings validate the CSL-GLY mixture as a cost-effective, eco-friendly culture medium for producing high-value biopolymers with pharmaceutical potential, underscoring the biotechnological relevance of Brazilian Mucorales strains.