New Chitosan-Onion Films Help Keep Cherry Tomatoes Fresh Longer

Jim Crocker
24th July, 2024

New Chitosan-Onion Films Help Keep Cherry Tomatoes Fresh Longer

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • Researchers at Shenyang Medical College, China, developed composite films using chitosan and onion polysaccharide to preserve cherry tomatoes
  • Adding onion polysaccharide to chitosan films significantly improved their antimicrobial and antioxidant properties
  • The composite films effectively delayed spoilage and maintained the quality of cherry tomatoes during storage
Natural preservation materials have gained significant attention in the quest to maintain the quality of fruits and vegetables. A recent study from Shenyang Medical College, China, aimed to develop composite films with enhanced preservation properties by utilizing chitosan (CS) as the film-forming material and incorporating onion polysaccharide (ONP) as the active component[1]. This article summarizes the findings of this study and examines how it contributes to the field of fruit and vegetable preservation. Chitosan is a biopolymer derived from chitin, which is found in the exoskeletons of crustaceans. It is known for its biodegradability, biocompatibility, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties[2]. These characteristics make chitosan an excellent candidate for various applications, including pharmaceuticals, wound healing, and water treatment. However, its natural properties are highly dependent on water and other solvent solubility. In this study, researchers prepared CS-ONP composite films and evaluated their performance and preservation effects on cherry tomatoes. The results demonstrated that increasing the ONP content significantly enhanced the shading, antimicrobial, and antioxidant capabilities of the composite films. These improvements are crucial for delaying the quality decline of fruits and vegetables during storage. The use of onion polysaccharide (ONP) as an active component is noteworthy. ONP is known for its antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, which complement those of chitosan. The incorporation of ONP into the chitosan matrix resulted in composite films that effectively delayed the spoilage of cherry tomatoes. This finding is significant as it addresses the challenge of fruit and vegetable spoilage, which can lead to substantial economic losses. The study also highlighted some drawbacks associated with the CS-ONP composite films. Despite the improvements brought by ONP, the films exhibited reduced mechanical properties and alterations in surface structure. These issues need to be addressed to enhance the overall performance of the composite films. Previous studies have explored the use of biopolymers for various applications. For instance, chitosan and gelatin-based films were prepared and crosslinked with boric acid to improve their physicochemical properties[3]. These films demonstrated UV-light barrier properties and increased tensile strength, making them suitable for biodegradable packaging. Similarly, konjac glucomannan (KGM) and curdlan were used to create composite coatings that improved the shelf life of cherry tomatoes[4]. These coatings exhibited good compatibility, uniformity, and water barrier properties. The current study builds on these previous findings by incorporating ONP into chitosan films, thereby enhancing their antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. The CS-ONP composite films offer a promising solution for fruit and vegetable preservation, with significant potential for broader applications. To prepare the CS-ONP composite films, the researchers first dissolved chitosan in an acidic solution. ONP was then added to the chitosan solution, and the mixture was stirred until a homogeneous solution was obtained. The solution was cast onto a flat surface and allowed to dry, forming thin films. These films were then tested for their preservation effects on cherry tomatoes. The preservation experiments revealed that the CS-ONP composite films effectively delayed the quality decline of cherry tomatoes during storage. The films reduced weight loss, decay loss, and delayed the decreases in firmness, soluble solids, total acid, and vitamin C contents. These results indicate that the CS-ONP composite films can significantly extend the shelf life of cherry tomatoes. In conclusion, the CS-ONP composite films developed in this study exhibit promising potential as novel materials for fruit and vegetable preservation. The incorporation of ONP enhances the antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of chitosan, making the composite films effective in delaying spoilage. However, further research is needed to address the mechanical properties and surface structure issues to optimize the performance of these films. The findings of this study contribute to the growing body of research on natural preservation materials and their applications in quality control of fruits and vegetables.

VegetablesAgricultureBiochem

References

Main Study

1) Innovative chitosan-onion polysaccharide composite films: A study on the preservation effects on cherry tomatoes.

Published 23rd July, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1111/1750-3841.17262

Related Studies

2) Antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of chitosan and its derivatives and their applications: A review.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.08.153

3) Chitosan and gelatin based biodegradable packaging films with UV-light protection.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2016.08.023

4) Characterizations of konjac glucomannan/curdlan edible coatings and the preservation effect on cherry tomatoes.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.123359


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