Passion Fruit Peel as an Edible Food Coating

Date:Nov 14, 2022

Country: South Africa

Application

• Natural preservation: Passion fruit peel powder can be used as an edible coating to preserve fresh fruits and cuts, reducing spoilage and extending shelf life.

Description

Researchers at the University of Johannesburg have explored the potential of passion fruit peels as an edible food coating. They extracted, micro-encapsulated, and powdered the peels, preserving their antioxidants and polyphenols. These powders can be used to coat fresh fruits, reducing spoilage and dehydration, and replacing plastic packaging. The process offers a sustainable alternative to synthetic preservatives and enhances the shelf life of fresh produce.

Pathway Description:

The project involved extracting passion fruit peel, microencapsulating its antioxidants and polyphenols using carriers like gum arabic, maltodextrin, and waxy starch, followed by freeze-drying and powdering the peel to preserve its bioactive compounds. The resulting powders were then analyzed for antioxidant activity using DPPH and FRAP tests. This process was aimed at developing an edible coating to preserve fresh fruits and reduce plastic packaging.