Valorización de los residuos agroalimentarios, mediante la extracción de polifenoles y aplicación en la formulación de un recubrimiento a base de goma arábiga

Abstract

The Ecuadorian agroindustry represents an important sector for the national economy, however, its industrial and/or artisanal activity emits considerable amounts of waste, which symbolize a serious environmental problem, which is why the need arises to find new ways to manage it. The objective of this work is to valorize agri-food waste through the extraction of polyphenols present in fruit peels and their application in the formulation of a coating based on gum arabic for the conservation of kidney tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L). Two formulations of the coating were prepared; the first with: 10% gum arabic and 1.5% glycerol, and the second included the enriched polyphenol extract (1g/L). These coatings were applied to previously washed tomatoes by immersion for 1 minute. These were stored and analyzed for 21 days at room temperature (22oC). Physicochemical analysis were carried out, such as: weight loss, firmness, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, pH and maturity index. Treatment 2 (1g/L polyphenol extract) showed the best results in general, since it allowed a decrease in weight loss, maintained the firmness of the fruit in relation to the control and treatment 1, as well as the pH values, titratable acidity and maturity index remained constant. These results were achieved thanks to the formation of a semipermeable barrier that allowed the respiration processes to slow down and, in turn, the loss of water. A synergy was observed between gum arabic and the extract rich in antioxidant components.