This study describes the preparation and characterization of eggplant peel extract-loaded electrospun gelatin nanofiber and study of its in vitro release. Results obtained by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electronic microscopy (TEM) micrograph revealed that eggplant peel extract-loaded electrospun gelatin nanofiber is in nanometric range with an average diameter 606.7 ± 184.5 and 643.6 ± 186.7 nm for 20 and 33.3 mg mL⁻¹ of extract addition, respectively. Moreover, the incorporation of extract improved morphology by being smooth, homogeneous, and without account formation compared to nanofibers without extract (control). Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR) spectra indicated that interaction exists between electrospun gelatin nanofiber and eggplant peel extract by hydrogen bond interactions, mainly. Electrospun gelatin nanofibers showed encapsulation efficiency greater than 90% of extract and a maximum release of 95 and 80% for the medium at pH 1.5 and 7.5, respectively. Therefore, the electrospinning technique is a good alternative for the conservation of bioactive compounds present in the eggplant peel through electrospun gelatin nanofiber.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of chitosan–tomato plant extract (C-TPE) edible coating (EC) on the physicochemical, microbiological, sensory, and antioxidant capacity changes of pork during storage. Edible coatings prepared with chitosan 1%, acetic acid 1%, glycerol, and TPE (0.1% and 0.3%) were tested. Slices of pork were submerged in different treatments (T1: C 1%; T2: C 1% + TPE 0.1%; T3: C 1% + TPE 0.3%; T4: control) and stored at 4 °C. The different treatments showed the best results in physicochemical and microbiological analyses, with reduced microbial population relative to the control. The highest antioxidant capacity and total phenolic content were shown in T3, and the overall acceptance was better in T2. The results show that the application of C with the addition of natural extracts, such as the tomato plant with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, can be an alternative method for preserving pork.

Proteins have the ability to form foam, which is a system consisting of a gas phase dispersed within a continuous phase, either liquid or solid. In certain types of food, the incorporation of gas is important for maintaining quality and sensory attributes. However, foam is a thermodynamically unstable system, and its stabilization is a highly researched area. In recent years, there has been growing interest in the application of ultrasound not only to improve foaming properties, but also to alter physicochemical and structural characteristics of proteins, making it an environmentally friendly and versatile technology. Ultrasound can enhance formation and stability by inducing conformational changes through the cavitation phenomenon. However, the benefits of this technology depend on the inherent characteristics of the proteins and the conditions applied during its use, such as frequency, time, amplitude, energy, protein concentration, volume, and medium conditions. This review aims to explore how ultrasound influences the physicochemical properties, induces structural modifications, and consequently enhances functional characteristics such as foaming capacity.

The products of fishing are highly perishable foods. Thus, it is necessary to seek viable alternatives that help to preserve product freshness and quality and to increase its shelf life. One of these alternatives is the use of extracts with antimicrobial activity obtained from plants, such as tomato, which has been observed to present compounds with antimicrobial activity. The objective of this work was to determine the effect of an extract obtained from the tomato plant and incorporated into an edible chitosan coating on the quality and shelf life of the sierra fish fillet stored on ice for 15 days. For the latter, an extract was prepared with dehydrated tomato plants, which was incorporated by immersion alone or in combination with an edible chitosan-based coating in sierra fish fillets. The following treatments were applied: C (Chitosan), TPE (Tomato Plant Extract), TPE-C (TPE-Chitosan), and control (without chitosan and extract). Color, pH, WHC, ATP-related compounds, and K value were monitored during 15 days of storage on ice. Likewise, the total count of mesophiles was determined. The results indicated that treatments C, TPE, and TPE-C were significantly different (p<0.05) from lot control in terms of the concentration of ATP-related compounds, K value, pH, and total mesophilic count. We concluded that application of the extract alone or in combination with chitosan allows for the improvement of the quality and shelf life of the sierra fish fillet.