The increasing demand for safe food without preservatives or pesticides residues has encouraged several studies on natural products with antifungal activity and low toxicity. In this study, ethanolic extracts from leaves and fruit residues (peel and seeds) of three Brazilian savanna species (Acrocomia aculeata, Campomanesia adamantium and Caryocar brasiliense) were evaluated against phytopathogenic fungi. Additionally, the most active extract was chemically characterized by ESI-MS and its oral acute toxicity was evaluated. Extracts from C. brasiliense (pequi) peel and leaves were active against Alternaria alternata, Alternaria solani and Venturia pirina with minimal inhibitory concentrations between 350 and 1000 µg/mL. When incorporated in solid media, these extracts extended the lag phase of A. alternata and A. solani and reduced the growth rate of A. solani. Pequi peel extract showed better antifungal activity and their ESI-MS analysis revealed the presence of substances widely reported as antifungal such as gallic acid, quinic acid, ellagic acid, glucogalin and corilagin. The oral acute toxicity was relatively low, being considered safe for use as a potential natural fungicide.Graphical Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the shelf life of powdered guavira pulp obtained by a foam mat drying process. The dehydrated guavira pulp was packed into low density polyethylene (LDPE) bags and stored under two controlled conditions: environmental (25°C, RH 75%) and accelerated (35°C, RH 90%) for 90 days. The shelf life was accompanied by carrying out the following analyses every 10 days: moisture content, water activity, vitamin C content, pH and titratable acidity. Vitamin C was the quality attribute used to determine the shelf life of the product, by determining its degradation kinetics as a function of storage time. The linear regression data showed that the vitamin C degradation reaction fitted the zero and first order kinetic models. The shelf life of the powdered guavira pulp under environmental conditions was approximately 49 days, and under accelerated conditions (35°C) 45 days. The Q10 was equal to 1.09, predicting a shelf life similar to that found under environmental conditions. The moisture content for these conditions was 10.0% e 5.4% for 35°C and 25°C, respectively. The above demonstrate the efficiency of the accelerated test in predicting the shelf life of the product.

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The effects of chitosan based edible coating enriched with pequi peel extract (PPE) on quality and safety of tomatoes stored at 22 °C for 16 days were investigated. The addition of PPE into chitosan matrix reduced in 22% the weight loss and in 50% the total color variation. Concerning firmness and yeast and mold counts, similar improvements were observed for chitosan and chitosan‐extract coatings, recording a delaying of the softening process in around 2 days and lowering in microbial counts to an estimated value of 1.5 × 103 CFU/g. The application of PPE alone showed effective in controlling fungal growth on tomatoes, by reducing in approximately 70% when compared to uncoated fruits. These results suggest that the combination of PPE with chitosan is suitable as an effective edible coating, improving fresh weight retention and reducing color change in tomatoes together with retaining the benefits of chitosan in delaying fungal growth. Practical applications Fungal diseases are one of the most common causes of tomatoes losses, making necessary the use of fungicides. Pequi peel extract has antifungal activity against some fungal pathogens of tomatoes and can be incorporated into chitosan‐based edible coatings in order to avoid the development of fungal diseases and maintain the parameters related to quality during postharvest storage.

The species Elaeocarpus serratus is widely used as an ornamental tree and their fruits are still little explored as food. Thus, the objectives of this research were to determine the physical, chemical and antimicrobial properties of E. serratus fruit in order to evaluate its food potential. Therefore, this study evaluated the physical and chemical composition and the antimicrobial activity of E. serratus fruit. The biometry revealed an average pulp yield of 82.16%. The physical and chemical characteristics of the E. serratus fruit showed that the pulp has pH 2.84 and has a higher content of moisture and crude fiber. The determination of bioactive compounds showed that E. serratus fruit presented a good source of flavonoids, condensed tannins, carotenoids and Vitamin C. In the chromatographic analyses, the presence of β-amirin was observed as the major compound by gas chromatography. Among the main phenolic compounds, the presence of kaempferol and quercetin in the liquid chromatography method was evidenced. Additionally, ethanolic extract from E. serratus fruit showed antimicrobial activity against Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella cholaresuis, Staphylococcus aureus and Xanthomonas campestris.