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Arcot Y, Mu M, Lin YT, DeFlorio W, Jebrini H, Kunadu APH, Yegin Y, Min Y, Castillo A, Cisneros-Zevallos L, Taylor TM, Akbulut ME. Edible nano-encapsulated cinnamon essential oil hybrid wax coatings for enhancing apple safety against food borne pathogens. Curr Res Food Sci 2024; 8:100667. [PMID: 38292343 PMCID: PMC10825335 DOI: 10.1016/j.crfs.2023.100667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Post-harvest losses of fruits due to decay and concerns regarding microbial food safety are significant within the produce processing industry. Additionally, maintaining the quality of exported commodities to distant countries continues to pose a challenge. To address these issues, the application of bioactive compounds, such as essential oils, has gained recognition as a means to extend shelf life by acting as antimicrobials. Herein, we have undertaken an innovative approach by nano-encapsulating cinnamon-bark essential oil using whey protein concentrate and imbibing nano-encapsulates into food-grade wax commonly applied on produce surfaces. We have comprehensively examined the physical, chemical, and antimicrobial properties of this hybrid wax to evaluate its efficacy in combatting the various foodborne pathogens that frequently trouble producers and handlers in the post-harvest processing industry. The coatings as applied demonstrated a static contact angle of 85 ± 1.6°, and advancing and receding contact angles of 90 ± 1.1° and 53.0 ± 1.6°, respectively, resembling the wetting properties of natural waxes on apples. Nanoencapsulation significantly delayed the release of essential oil, increasing the half-life by 61 h compared to its unencapsulated counterparts. This delay correlated with statistically significant reductions (p = 0.05) in bacterial populations providing both immediate and delayed (up to 72 h) antibacterial effects as well as expanded fungal growth inhibition zones compared to existing wax technologies, demonstrating promising applicability for high-quality fruit storage and export. The utilization of this advanced produce wax coating technology offers considerable potential for bolstering food safety and providing enhanced protection against bacteria and fungi for produce commodities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yashwanth Arcot
- Artie McFerrin Department of Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Minchen Mu
- Artie McFerrin Department of Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Yu-Ting Lin
- Artie McFerrin Department of Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - William DeFlorio
- Artie McFerrin Department of Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Haris Jebrini
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | | | - Yagmur Yegin
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Younjin Min
- Depart of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA, 92521
| | - Alejandro Castillo
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Luis Cisneros-Zevallos
- Department of Horticultural Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Thomas M. Taylor
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Mustafa E.S. Akbulut
- Artie McFerrin Department of Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
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