Development and Application of Edible Coatings with Malva sylvestris L. Extract to Extend Shelf-Life of Small Loaf

Abstract

Edible coatings that have a recognized ecological effect are an alternative to retard the processes of moisture evaporation and mold growth in bakery products. The aim of the present research was to study the influence of Malva sylvestris L. (mallow) flowers’ extract on the antimicrobial activity of edible coatings of three types of polysaccharides, pectin/P/, xanthan/X/ and carboxymethylcellulose/C/, as well as to analyze their effect on the freshness and microbiological status of coated small loaves during storage. It was found that the presence of a mallow extract had a positive effect on the fungicidal and yeasticidal activities of the X and C coatings. The loaves were evaluated for their physical (moisture, color), textural (firmness and crumb firming kinetics) and microbiological characteristics. The coatings (P, X and C) with mallow extract had the strongest moisture-retaining effect on the loaves’ crumb. The coatings with X and with P (with/without mallow extract) significantly slowed down the crumb firming process, and the value of the rate constant for the crumb firming (k) is the lowest for the X coating—0.1815 day−1. The smallest changes in the crust color were reported when mallow-based coatings were used. They have also been proven to have the lowest microbial load when they are stored for up to three days. This study shows that polysaccharide edible coatings with an active mallow component have significant potential to extend the shelf life of bakery products.

Development and Characterization of Edible Packaging Film Using Lignin Extracted from Coffee Silverskin

“…for 24 hours. The films were removed and stored, at 50% RH and room temperature (22+0.5 °C) [3,16,[22][23] . Schematic diagram of the coffee lignin based edible film production was given in Fig.…”

“…A great part of the polymers used in food packaging are nonbiodegradable, petroleum-based materials. Nowadays lots of studies are carried out to produce new biodegradable, environment-friendly packaging films to reduce the use of environmentally hazardous plastics and replace them with low-cost biopolymers [1][2][3] . Coffee is a widely consumed drink in the world.…”