Edible Films Made of Dried Olive Leaf Extract and Chitosan: Characterization and Applications

Valorization of Olive Pomace Using Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction for Application in Active Packaging Films

Bioactive compounds that can be recovered by the solid wastes of the olive oil sector, such as polyphenols, are known for their significant antioxidant and antimicrobial activities with potential application in nutraceutical, cosmetic, and food industries. Given that industrial demands are growing, and the polyphenol market value is ever increasing, a systematic study on the recovery of natural antioxidant compounds from olive pomace using ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) was conducted. Single-factor parameters, i.e., the extraction solvent, time, and solid-to-liquid ratio, were investigated evaluating the total phenolic content (TPC) recovery and the antioxidant activity of the final extract. The acetone-water system (50% v/v, 20 min, 1:20 g mL-1) exhibited the highest total phenolic content recovery (168.8 ± 5.5 mg GAE per g of dry extract). The olive pomace extract (OPE) was further assessed for its antioxidant and antibacterial activities. In DPPH, ABTS, and CUPRAC, OPE exhibited an antioxidant capacity of 413.6 ± 1.9, 162.72 ± 3.36 and 384.9 ± 7.86 mg TE per g of dry extract, respectively. The antibacterial study showed that OPE attained a minimum inhibitory activity (MIC) of 2.5 mg mL-1 against E. coli and 10 mg mL-1 against B. subtilis. Hydroxytyrosol and tyrosol were identified as the major phenolic compounds of OPE. Furthermore, active chitosan-polyvinyl alcohol (CHT/PVA) films were prepared using different OPE loadings (0.01-0.1%, w/v). OPE-enriched films showed a dose-dependent antiradical scavenging activity reaching 85.7 ± 4.6% (ABTS) and inhibition growth up to 81% against B. subtilis compared to the control film. Increased UV light barrier ability was also observed for the films containing OPE. These results indicate that OPE is a valuable source of phenolic compounds with promising biological activities that can be exploited for developing multifunctional food packaging materials.

Properties of modified chitosan-based films and coatings and their application in the preservation of edible mushrooms: A review

Edible mushrooms are prone to deteriorate during storage. A Single chitosan film or coating has limitations in preservation. Therefore, this article focused on the improvement of modified chitosan-based films and coatings on properties related to storage quality of edible mushrooms (e.g.: safety, barrier, mechanical, antioxidant and antibacterial properties). Besides, the application of chitosan-based materials in the preservation of mushrooms was also discussed. The modified chitosan film and coating can slow down the respiration of mushrooms, inhibit the growth of microorganisms, protect antioxidant compositions, and regulate the activity of related enzymes, thus improving the quality and prolonging the shelf life of mushrooms. Meanwhile, the added ingredients improve the water and gas barrier properties of chitosan through volume and group occupation, and reduce the light transmittance of chitosan through light transmission, scattering and absorption. Essential oils and polyphenolic compounds had a better enhancement of antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of chitosan.

Biodegradability Study of Modified Chitosan Films with Cinnamic Acid and Ellagic Acid in Soil

Currently, natural polymer materials with bactericidal properties are extremely popular. Unfortunately, although the biopolymer material itself is biodegradable, its enrichment with bactericidal compounds may affect the efficiency of biodegradation by natural soil microflora. Therefore, the primary objective of this study was to evaluate the utility of fungi belonging to the genus Trichoderma in facilitating the degradation of chitosan film modified with cinnamic acid and ellagic acid in the soil environment. Only two strains (T.07 and T.14) used chitosan films as a source of carbon and nitrogen. However, their respiratory activity decreased with the addition of tested phenolic acids, especially cinnamic acid. Addition of Trichoderma isolates to the soil increased oxygen consumption during the biodegradation process compared with native microorganisms, especially after application of the T.07 and T.14 consortium. Isolates T.07 and T.14 showed high lipolytic (55.78 U/h and 62.21 U/h) and chitinase (43.03 U/h and 41.27 U/h) activities. Chitinase activity after incorporation of the materials into the soil was higher for samples enriched with T.07, T.14 and the consortium. The isolates were classified as Trichoderma sp. and Trichoderma koningii. Considering the outcomes derived from our findings, it is our contention that the application of Trichoderma isolates holds promise for expediting the degradation process of chitosan materials containing bactericidal compounds.

Effect of a Chitosan Coating Enriched with an Olive Leaf Extract on the Characteristics of Pork Burgers

Chitosan coatings have been investigated for improving food shelf-life. The addition of an olive leaf extract could enhance its beneficial effect. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an olive leaf extract added to a chitosan coating in delaying deterioration in refrigerated pork burgers without additives packaged under a 40% oxygen and 60% carbon dioxide modified atmosphere. Some general parameters (microbial counts, instrumental color and texture, and lipid and protein oxidation) were measured over the storage of pork burgers without coating (Control), with a chitosan-based coating (Chitosan) and with a chitosan-based coating enriched with an olive leaf extract (Chitoex). The coating impacted the effect of the storage time on most parameters. Both coatings were especially effective at limiting the changes that occur over time in the headspace gases, some texture parameters (hardness, gumminess, and chewiness) and lipid oxidation, although the effect on the microbial counts was weak. Chitoex was more effective than Chitosan at preventing changes in the headspace gases on day 11 and in lipid oxidation on all the sampling days. In conclusion, the Chitoex coating could be useful for prolonging the storage of pork burgers by preventing changes in texture and reducing lipid oxidation.

Chitosan Based Biodegradable Composite for Antibacterial Food Packaging Application

A recent focus on the development of biobased polymer packaging films has come about in response to the environmental hazards caused by petroleum-based, nonbiodegradable packaging materials. Among biopolymers, chitosan is one of the most popular due to its biocompatibility, biodegradability, antibacterial properties, and ease of use. Due to its ability to inhibit gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, yeast, and foodborne filamentous fungi, chitosan is a suitable biopolymer for developing food packaging. However, more than the chitosan is required for active packaging. In this review, we summarize chitosan composites which show active packaging and improves food storage condition and extends its shelf life. Active compounds such as essential oils and phenolic compounds with chitosan are reviewed. Moreover, composites with polysaccharides and various nanoparticles are also summarized. This review provides valuable information for selecting a composite that enhances shelf life and other functional qualities when embedding chitosan. Furthermore, this report will provide directions for the development of novel biodegradable food packaging materials.

Characterization, Sensory and Oxidative Stability Analysis of Vegetable Mayonnaise Formulated with Olive Leaf Vinegar as an Active Ingredient

Development of novel food products represents a basic meeting point for health and business requirements. Mayonnaise sauce is well-suited to be a healthy and tasty dressing. In this study, mayonnaise was formulated by using unconventional ingredients, such as olive leaf vinegar (OLV), soybean/high oleic sunflower oil blend, and soymilk (as an egg substitute). An 18% alcoholic vinegar was used as the control sample. OLV is a rich source of bioactive substances, especially polyphenols and represents a possible way to enhance the olive oil by-product valorisation. For this new typology of vinegar an high level of phenolic compounds (7.2 mg/mL GAE), especially oleuropein (6.0 mg/mL oleuropein equivalent) was found. OLV mayonnaise had 57% fat, composed of 11%, 64%, and 23% saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids, while linolenic acid was up to 1.7%. The phenol and oleuropein contents were 68 and 52 mg/100 g, respectively. Sensory panellists expressed a moderate overall acceptability for both samples but attested more distinctive and positive sensations for the colour, odour, and taste attributes of OLV mayonnaise. Finally, oxidative stability and shelf life were better in OLV mayonnaise than in the control. Specifically, the peroxide value remained low (around 4.5 meqO₂/kg) after 12 months of storage at room and low (4 °C) temperatures.