Development of Antimicrobial Coatings from <i>Ficus carica</i> Latex for Improving the Quality of Dried Figs

To carry out this work, latex from <i>Ficus carica</i> was obtained for the production of coatings, the characteristics of the produced coatings were analyzed, and their application on dried figs was evaluated. Work was conducted to obtain latex and produce coatings, optimizing the mixtu...

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Main Authors: Yesuneh Gizaw, Rocío Casquete, María del Carmen Caballero, María de Guía Córdoba, María José Benito
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Foods
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/9/1562
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author Yesuneh Gizaw
Rocío Casquete
María del Carmen Caballero
María de Guía Córdoba
María José Benito
author_facet Yesuneh Gizaw
Rocío Casquete
María del Carmen Caballero
María de Guía Córdoba
María José Benito
author_sort Yesuneh Gizaw
collection DOAJ
description To carry out this work, latex from <i>Ficus carica</i> was obtained for the production of coatings, the characteristics of the produced coatings were analyzed, and their application on dried figs was evaluated. Work was conducted to obtain latex and produce coatings, optimizing the mixture and determining its properties. Additionally, the shelf life of coated fruits was studied. The results showed that the coatings had a milky white color, a thickness between 0.04 mm and 0.09 mm, a moisture content close to 25%, and a water solubility ranging from 80% to 98.73%. The 10% latex coatings showed better elasticity and resistance, being selected for the shelf life study. The optimal formulations selected were 28, 29, and 31, all with 10% latex. These coatings exhibited interesting antimicrobial activities against bacteria <i>Escherichia coli</i>, <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>, and <i>Salmonella choleraesuis</i> and antifungal activity against <i>Botrytis cinerea</i>, <i>Penicillium expansum</i>, <i>Aspergillus flavus</i>, and <i>Monilinia fructicola</i>. When applied to dried figs, it was observed that the appearance of the figs did not visibly change. Antioxidant activity was highest in batch 28, which also showed less microbiology and lower hardness at 60 days. Thus, coatings not only helped maintain the natural color of the fruits but also preserved their freshness and overall quality for a longer period. This makes them an effective and sustainable solution for the food industry.
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spelling doaj-art-1b0f38c3fb9149c0acdd932760ed4db72025-08-20T02:30:46ZengMDPI AGFoods2304-81582025-04-01149156210.3390/foods14091562Development of Antimicrobial Coatings from <i>Ficus carica</i> Latex for Improving the Quality of Dried FigsYesuneh Gizaw0Rocío Casquete1María del Carmen Caballero2María de Guía Córdoba3María José Benito4Nutrición y Bromatología, Escuela de Ingenierías Agrarias, Universidad de Extremadura, Avd. Adolfo Suárez s/n, 06007 Badajoz, SpainNutrición y Bromatología, Escuela de Ingenierías Agrarias, Universidad de Extremadura, Avd. Adolfo Suárez s/n, 06007 Badajoz, SpainNutrición y Bromatología, Escuela de Ingenierías Agrarias, Universidad de Extremadura, Avd. Adolfo Suárez s/n, 06007 Badajoz, SpainNutrición y Bromatología, Escuela de Ingenierías Agrarias, Universidad de Extremadura, Avd. Adolfo Suárez s/n, 06007 Badajoz, SpainNutrición y Bromatología, Escuela de Ingenierías Agrarias, Universidad de Extremadura, Avd. Adolfo Suárez s/n, 06007 Badajoz, SpainTo carry out this work, latex from <i>Ficus carica</i> was obtained for the production of coatings, the characteristics of the produced coatings were analyzed, and their application on dried figs was evaluated. Work was conducted to obtain latex and produce coatings, optimizing the mixture and determining its properties. Additionally, the shelf life of coated fruits was studied. The results showed that the coatings had a milky white color, a thickness between 0.04 mm and 0.09 mm, a moisture content close to 25%, and a water solubility ranging from 80% to 98.73%. The 10% latex coatings showed better elasticity and resistance, being selected for the shelf life study. The optimal formulations selected were 28, 29, and 31, all with 10% latex. These coatings exhibited interesting antimicrobial activities against bacteria <i>Escherichia coli</i>, <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>, and <i>Salmonella choleraesuis</i> and antifungal activity against <i>Botrytis cinerea</i>, <i>Penicillium expansum</i>, <i>Aspergillus flavus</i>, and <i>Monilinia fructicola</i>. When applied to dried figs, it was observed that the appearance of the figs did not visibly change. Antioxidant activity was highest in batch 28, which also showed less microbiology and lower hardness at 60 days. Thus, coatings not only helped maintain the natural color of the fruits but also preserved their freshness and overall quality for a longer period. This makes them an effective and sustainable solution for the food industry.https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/9/1562<i>Ficus carica</i>latexcoatingsantimicrobialdried figs
spellingShingle Yesuneh Gizaw
Rocío Casquete
María del Carmen Caballero
María de Guía Córdoba
María José Benito
Development of Antimicrobial Coatings from <i>Ficus carica</i> Latex for Improving the Quality of Dried Figs
Foods
<i>Ficus carica</i>
latex
coatings
antimicrobial
dried figs
title Development of Antimicrobial Coatings from <i>Ficus carica</i> Latex for Improving the Quality of Dried Figs
title_full Development of Antimicrobial Coatings from <i>Ficus carica</i> Latex for Improving the Quality of Dried Figs
title_fullStr Development of Antimicrobial Coatings from <i>Ficus carica</i> Latex for Improving the Quality of Dried Figs
title_full_unstemmed Development of Antimicrobial Coatings from <i>Ficus carica</i> Latex for Improving the Quality of Dried Figs
title_short Development of Antimicrobial Coatings from <i>Ficus carica</i> Latex for Improving the Quality of Dried Figs
title_sort development of antimicrobial coatings from i ficus carica i latex for improving the quality of dried figs
topic <i>Ficus carica</i>
latex
coatings
antimicrobial
dried figs
url https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/9/1562
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