Influence of Leaf Extract of Lantana camara Integrated with Maize-based Coating on the Quality of Fresh Talinum triangulare and Telfairia occidentalis Leaves

Abstract

Fresh <em>Talinum triangulare</em> and <em>Telfairia occidentalis</em> leaves have a short shelf life; therefore, there is a need to enhance their shelf life using natural antimicrobials to maintain their freshness. The effect of an ethanolic extract of <em>Lantana camara</em> leaf (10% w/v) integrated with a maize-based edible coating on fresh <em>T. triangulare</em> and <em>T. occidentalis</em> leaves was studied. Fresh <em>T. triangulare</em> and <em>T. occidentalis</em> leaves were evaluated for quality (pH, total carotenoid content, ascorbic acid, total phenolic content, fungal load, antioxidant activity, total soluble solids and browning potential) using a centered second-order polynomial (quadratic) model over a 9-day period. The pH values, browning potential, total soluble solids, and fungal loads of <em>T. triangulare</em> and <em>T. occidentalis</em> treated with the ethanolic leaf extract of <em>L. camara</em> integrated with maize-based coating had higher values than those of <em>T. triangulare</em> and <em>T. occidentalis </em>without treatment. Meanwhile, the total carotenoid content, ascorbic acid, total phenolic acid, and total antioxidant capacity of <em>T. triangulare</em> and <em>T. occidentalis</em> treated with the ethanolic leaf extract of <em>L. camara</em> integrated with maize-based coating had reduced values compared to <em>T. triangulare</em> and <em>T. occidentalis </em>without treatment. The disparity in the quality parameter values indicates bioactivity in <em>L. camara</em> integrated with a maize-based coating. This study shows that the integration of the ethanolic extract of the leaf of <em>L. camara</em> with the maize-based coating could be used as a biopreservation agent to improve the shelf life of <em>T. triangulare</em> and <em>T. occidentalis</em>.