Edible films based on chayotextle starch and its effect on the shelf life of apples

Abstract

The apple is a climacteric fruit, characterized by having a long post-harvest life in optimal storage conditions, in addition to various nutritional benefits. In Mexico, it has become common to sell apple by piece and ready to be consumed, each piece after being washed and disinfected, is protected with a polyurethane net and a low-density polyethylene plastic film, which contributes to the increase in the generation of solid waste and environmental pollution. The main objective of this work was to evaluate the effectiveness of edible films based on chayotextle starch and pectin with nopal mucilage, to preserve the physicochemical, microbiological and sensory characteristics of apples stored in refrigeration (4-6°C). Two types of films were made: T1: chayotextle starch (4%), glycerol (2%); T2: pectin (1%), nopal mucilage (0.5%), glycerol (30% w / v); These were determined the permeability to water vapor (T1: 1.317x10-12; T2: 8.854 g s- 1 Pa-1 m -1) and oxygen permeability (T1: 4.444x10-14, T2: 5.87 gm s -1 Pa-1 m-2). The shelf-life study in apples showed that both the edible films and the plastic material maintained the physicochemical (pH), sensory, rheological (Hardness) and microbiological (fungi and yeast, mesophilic aerobic and total coliform) characteristics of the apples for 40 days