Extension of Quality and Shelf Life of Tomatoes Using Chitosan Coating Incorporated with Cinnamon Oil

This study examined the effects of 2% chitosan (CS) coatings incorporated with varying concentrations of cinnamon oil (CO) (0%, 0.5%, 1.0%, and 1.5%) on the extension of the quality and shelf-life of tomatoes stored under ambient conditions. Control samples were untreated and coated with distilled water. All samples were stored for 14 days at 25 ± 1 °C, with quality assessments conducted every two days. The application of CS-CO treatments was notably effective in controlling weight loss (3.91-5.26%) and firmness loss (10.81-16.51 N), sustaining the color index score (11.98-16.78), and stabilizing the total soluble solids (4.64-4.71 brix), titratable acidity (0.374-0.383%), total phenolic content (75.89-81.54 mg/100 g), ascorbic acid concentration (21.64-33.69 mg/100 g), total antioxidant capacity (85.89-91.54%) and pigment levels, particularly chlorophyll (52.80-63.18 mg/100 g), compared to control samples (p < 0.05). Higher CO concentrations (1.0% and 1.5%) in the CS coating maintained a significant level of phytochemicals in the samples compared to the control group, while CS-CO at 0.5% performed similarly in preserving the other physicochemical qualities. Both CS and CS-CO treatments extended the shelf life of the tomatoes up to 14 days (<6.78 log10 CFU/mL), whereas control samples were only viable for storage for 6 days due to higher microbial growth (>7.8 log10 CFU/mL) (p < 0.05). Overall, CS-CO-treated tomatoes demonstrated superior quality preservation and shelf-life enhancement, with a notable improvement in overall qualities as compared to the CS and control samples.

Investigation of Melatonin Incorporated CMC-Gelatin Based Edible Coating on the Alleviation of Chilling Injury Induced Pericarp Browning in Longkong

Longkong (Aglaia dookkoo Griff.) fruit is prone to rapid pericarp browning and shortened shelf life (<7 days) under prolonged low-temperature storage. This study investigates the effect of an edible coating, comprising carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and gelatin in a fixed 3:1 ratio, integrated with various concentrations of melatonin (MT) (0.4, 0.8, and 1.2 mM/L) to mitigate chilling injury in longkong fruit. Coated longkong fruits were stored at 13 °C with 90% relative humidity for 18 days and underwent physicochemical evaluations every three days. Samples coated with CMC-Gel without MT and uncoated fruits were served as controls. The findings indicated that the CMC-Gel-MT coating significantly mitigated pericarp browning, chilling injury, weight loss, and respiration rate increase under extended cold storage conditions. High concentrations of MT (≥0.8 mM/L) in the coating notably inhibited the activities of cellular degrading enzymes such as lipoxygenase and phospholipase D. This inhibition contributed to reduced membrane permeability, lower reactive oxygen species accumulation (H2O2, OH-, O2-), and decreased malondialdehyde levels in the longkong pericarp. Furthermore, the CMC-Gel-MT coating increased the activity of phenylalanine ammonia lyase, leading to an enhancement in phenolic content. Consequently, it improved the fruit's ability to scavenge DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS (2,20-azino-di-3-ethylbenzthiazoline sulfonic acid) radicals. Control samples exhibited high levels of pericarp browning-related enzymes (polyphenol oxidase, peroxidase), whereas CMC-Gel-MT-coated fruits, particularly at higher MT concentrations, showed significant reductions in those enzyme activities. In conclusion, incorporating high concentrations of MT in a CMC-Gel-based edible coating is a promising alternative for mitigating chilling injury in longkong fruit.

Edible Insects in Thailand: An Overview of Status, Properties, Processing, and Utilization in the Food Industry

Edible insects have become increasingly popular in Thailand as a nutritious and appealing alternative food source. As the edible insect industry in the country expands rapidly, efforts are being made to transform it into an economically viable sector with substantial commercial potential. Some of the most consumed and sold edible insects in Thailand include locusts, palm weevils, silkworm pupae, bamboo caterpillars, crickets, red ants, and giant water bugs. With its strong growth, Thailand has the potential to emerge as a global leader in the production and promotion of edible insect products. Edible insects are an excellent source of protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals. In particular, crickets and grasshoppers are protein-rich, with the average protein content of edible insects ranging from 35 to 60 g/100 g of dry weight or 10 to 25 g/100 g of fresh weight. This surpasses the protein content of many plant-based sources. However, the hard exoskeleton of insects, which is high in chitin, can make them difficult to digest. In addition to their nutritional value, edible insects contain biologically active compounds that offer various health benefits. These include antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-collagenase, elastase-inhibitory, α-glucosidase-inhibitory, pancreatic lipase-inhibitory, antidiabetic/insulin-like/insulin-like peptide (ApILP), antidiabetic, anti-aging, and immune-enhancing properties. The Thai food industry can process and utilize edible insects in diverse ways, such as low-temperature processing, including refrigeration and freezing, traditional processing techniques, and incorporating insects into products, such as flour, protein, oil, and canned food. This review offers a comprehensive overview of the status, functional properties, processing, and utilization of edible insects in Thailand, and it serves as a valuable resource for those interested in edible insects and provides guidance for their application in various fields.

Influence of Pomelo (Citrus maxima) Pericarp Essential Oil on the Physicochemical Properties of HomChaiya Rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. HomChaiya) Flour-Derived Edible Films

The food industry is increasingly interested in using active edible packaging to address environmental problems caused by conventional synthetic polymers, such as pollution and degradation. The present study took advantage of this opportunity to develop active edible packaging using Hom-Chaiya rice flour (RF), incorporating pomelo pericarp essential oil (PEO) at varying concentrations (1-3%). Films without PEO were used as controls. Various physicochemical parameters, structural and morphological observations were examined in the tested films. Overall, the results showed that the addition of PEO at varying concentrations significantly improved the qualities of the RF edible films, particularly the film's yellowness (b*) and total color. Furthermore, RF-PEO films with increased concentrations significantly reduced the film's roughness and relative crystallinity, while increasing opacity. The total moisture content in the films did not differ, but water activity was significantly reduced in the RF-PEO films. Water vapor barrier properties also improved in the RF-PEO films. In addition, textural properties, including tensile strength and elongation at break, were better in the RF-PEO films compared with the control. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) revealed strong bonding between the PEO and RF in the film. Morphological studies showed that the addition of PEO smoothed the film's surface, and this effect increased with concentration. Overall, the biodegradability of the tested films was effective, despite variations; however, a slight advancement in degradation was found in the control film. Lastly, the antimicrobial properties of the RF-PEO films exhibited excellent inhibitory effects against various pathogens, including Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes), Escherichia coli (E. coli), and Salmonella typhimurium (S. typhimurium). This study demonstrated that RF and PEO could be an effective combination for developing active edible packaging that delivers desirable functional properties and excellent biodegradability.

Phytochemicals, Bioactive Properties and Commercial Potential of Calamondin (Citrofortunella microcarpa) Fruits: A Review

The calamondin (Citrofortunella microcarpa) is a hybrid citrus fruit resulting from the crossing of a mandarin orange with a kumquat. It is a small, round-shaped fruit with thin, smooth skin ranging from orange to dark red. The aroma of the fruit is distinctive and unique. Calamondin is an excellent source of Vitamin C, D-Limonene, and essential oils, providing benefits to the immune system, as well as anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, anti-angiogenic, and anti-cancer properties, and it exhibits various therapeutic effects. It also contains a good amount of dietary fiber from pectin. Its distinctive flavor and high juice content make calamondin juice a popular ingredient in many international cuisines. The juice also contains bioactive compounds, such as phenolics and flavonoids, which are a potential source of antioxidant properties. All parts of the calamondin fruit, including the juice, pulp, seeds, and peel, can be used in various applications, from food products like juices, powders, and candies to non-food uses in herbal medicine and cosmetics, showcasing their versatility and unique properties. This review will examine various bioactive components of calamondin and their related medicinal effects, and provide guidelines for their utilization, processing, and value addition on a commercial scale.

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of durian (Durio zibethinus Murr.) pulp, seed and peel flour

The unripe pulp, inner peel and seed of durian were used in this study. These are generally not considered edible and must be disposed of as waste. However, they are good sources of bioactive compounds. Flour extracts from the unripe pulp, inner peel, and seed of two durian (Durio zibethinus Murr.) varieties, namely, Monthong and Chanee, were analyzed chemically to determine their total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory capacities. Chanee pulp (CPu) contained a higher TPC (5285.37 ± 517.65 mg GAE/g) than Monthong pulp (MPu), Monthong peel (MP), Monthong seed (MS), Chanee peel (CP) and Chanee seed (CS) (p = 0.0027, 0.0042, 0.0229, 0.0069 and 0.36), respectively. The antioxidant activity of each durian extract was determined against ABTS, nitric oxide, superoxide, hydroxyl, and metal ions. The results indicated that the pulp, inner peel and seed of these durian varieties had antioxidant capacities. Murine Raw 264.7 macrophages were used to determine the cytotoxicity of the flour extracts. The extract of CS flour had the lowest cytotoxicity followed by MP, CPu, CP, MPu and MS (p = 0.5926, 0.44, 0.3191, 0.1471 and 0.0014), respectively. The anti-inflammatory activity was tested by anti-nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated cells by co-treating the Raw 264.7 cells with each durian flour extract and LPS. The extract of MP flour had the lowest IC₅₀ against NO production, indicating the highest anti-NO production activity followed by CS, CPu, MPu, CP and MS (p = 0.7473, 0.0104, < 0.0001, 0.0002 and < 0.0001, respectively). The information obtained in this study is useful for researchers to explore more durian varieties in Southeast Asia to find bioactive compounds that might be novel nutraceuticals for antioxidant, anti-inflammation and therapeutic functional food.

Influence of gas-liquid two-phase flow on angiotensin-I converting enzyme inhibitory peptides separation by ultra-filtration

BACKGROUND

Membrane fouling is a major problem in ultra-filtration systems and two-phase flow is a promising technique for permeate flux enhancement. The objective of this research was to study the use of an ultra-filtration (UF) system to enrich angiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory peptides from tilapia protein hydrolysate. To select the most appropriate membrane and operating condition, the effects of membrane molecular weight cut-off (MWCO), transmembrane pressure (TMP) and cross-flow velocity (CFV) on permeate flux and ACE inhibitory peptide separation were studied. Additionally, the gas-liquid two-phase flow technique was applied to investigate its effect on the process capability.

RESULTS

The results showed that the highest ACE inhibitory activity was obtained from permeate of the 1 kDa membrane. In terms of TMP and CFV, the permeate flux tended to increase with TMP and CFV. The use of gas-liquid two-phase flow as indicated by shear stress number could reduce membrane fouling and increase the permeate flux up to 42%, depending on shear stress number. Moreover, the use of a shear stress number of 0.039 led to an augmentation in ACE inhibitory activity of permeates.

CONCLUSIONS

Operating conditions using a shear stress number of 0.039 were recommended for enrichment of ACE inhibitory peptides. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.