Bioactive food packaging based on starch, citric pectin and functionalized with Acca sellowiana waste by-product: Characterization and application in the postharvest conservation of apple.

Innovative biodegradable packaging with antimicrobial and antioxidant properties was developed, and functionalized with Acca sellowiana waste by-product (feijoa peel flour, FPF). Physicochemical, morphological, antioxidant, antimicrobial properties, and in situ application in the postharvest conservation of apple were conducted with the packaging produced. The results obtained demonstrate that FPF addition had a positive influence on the packaging characteristics, for all the parameters tested. The high concentration of antioxidant compounds in the films with FPF promoted antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The packaging produced maintained the quality of apples during storage, with constant weight after 5 days of storage. Based on our results, the bioactive, antioxidant and antimicrobial packaging functionalized with Acca sellowiana waste by-product may be considered as a new alternative to packaging in food systems.

Investigation of Nutritional Composition, Antioxidant Compounds, and Antimicrobial Activity of Wild Culinary-Medicinal Mushrooms Boletus edulis and Lactarius deliciosus (Agaricomycetes) from Brazil.

Wild edible mushrooms are found around the world, and widely appreciated in gastronomy, medicine, and pharmacology. This study investigated the chemical characterization of Boletus edulis and Lactarius deliciosus wild edible mushrooms, naturally grown in the mountain range of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Mushrooms were separated in stem and cap, and the nutritional composition was conducted in fresh matter. Antioxidant compounds were extracted in three solvents, and total phenolic compounds, flavonoids, antioxidant capacity, and antimicrobial activity were evaluated. The results demonstrate that moisture, ashes, lipids, crude protein, carbohydrates, and calories presented a significant difference according to the species evaluated. Mushrooms presented more than 85% of moisture, high content of crude protein, and carbohydrates. B. edulis had the highest content of antioxidant compounds compared with L. deliciosus, tested by DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assay. High free radical inhibition and low IC50 values were obtained, demonstrating that B. edulis presents a strong antioxidant capacity. Regarding the antimicrobial activity, B. edulis extracts were effective in controlling Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae, demonstrating biological application. Based on the aforementioned, future studies can be addressed in the development of innovative food products, medicines, and pharmaceuticals, using B. edulis and L. deliciosus wild edible mushroom. Therefore, wild edible mushrooms evaluated in this study had the potential to be used in human consumption, providing essential nutrients, phenolic compounds, and flavonoids, with high antioxidant and antimicrobial activity.