Abstract
The high water content of Lycopersicon esculentum usually favors microbial growth, thus resulting in shelf-life reduction and economic loss. In an effort to develop an ecofriendly preservative for cherry tomatoes, a comprehensive study establishing the antimicrobial activity of the seeds of Chrysophyllum albidum and Persea americana was carried out. Folin Ciocalteu, AlCl3 colorimetric, and agar well diffusion assays were, respectively, used to determine the total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content, and the antimicrobial potential of the extracts. Although the ethanolic extract of C. albidum displayed the highest TPC (90.71 ± 2.17 mg/g GAE), the antimicrobial studies indicated that aqueous extract of C. albidum seed (CAA), which showed the presence of saponins (total saponin content: 7.82%) had the highest zone of inhibition against Samonella typhi (24.5 ± 0.05 mm) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (22.5 ± 0.05 mm). Treatments with 50 and 100 mg/ml of CAA retained firmness in tomatoes and significantly (p < .05) preserved the postharvest qualities (total soluble solids, total acidity, and ascorbic acid content) of cherry tomatoes. Novelty impact statement Seeds of Chrysophymum albidum and Persea americana, which are usually discarded, possess antioxidant and antimicrobial phytochemicals with the aqueous extract of C. albidum (CAA) exhibiting more impressive antimicrobial properties. CAA treatment significantly preserved the postharvest qualities of cherry tomatoes. Hence, CAA is a cheap and easily affordable natural product treatment can be used to prolong the shelf-life of cherry tomatoes, thus minimizing economic loss due postharvest wastage of tomatoes.
Published Version
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