Anais do Simpósio Latino Americano de Ciências de Alimentos
Anais do 13º Simpósio Latino Americano de Ciência de Alimentos

Strawberry is a small fruit considered one of the most appreciated berries by the Brazilian population, for its pleasant flavour and source of vitamin C. However, it is a highly perishable fruit due to postharvest pathological problems, mainly caused by Botrytis cinerea fungus. To decrease this problem, edible coatings can be an alternative because are considered an environmentally friendly technology, used to preserve and extend the postharvest shelf life. The aim of this study was to evaluate two edible coatings: the sodium alginate and carboxymethyl cellulose to keep quality and extend shelf life of strawberries. The produced coat was obtained from the spreading of film-forming solution on glass petri dishes and dried for 48 h in a vacuum oven to study its physical and chemical characteristics. Strawberries were immersed in the coating solution and stored at refrigeration temperature (2–4.5°C). Thermogravimetric analysis, film thickness and weight loss percentage of the coated and control samples were performed. The thickness of each film was measured using a micrometer. Thermogravimetric analysis was performed using a thermogravimetric analyzer. The films exhibited thickness from 0.015 to 0.06 mm. Weight loss percentage were not significantly different (p>0.05) in coated strawberries compared to the control. Thermogravimetric analysis showed similar decomposition curves for films produced. The results showed good thermic stability of films. Edible coating prevented Botrytis injuries when stored up to 5 days at refrigeration temperature (2–4.5°C). Concerning the weight loss percentage there was no significative difference between coated and control. Therefore, with a visual observation it was verified that strawberry coated presented higher quality characteristics than control. The next stage of the project will be dedicated to functionalizing the coating with nanoparticles with antimicrobial potential and evaluate how this functionalization interferes on the biological activity and other rheological properties of the films.