Nature Nano-Barrier: HPMC/MD-Based <i>Lactobacillus plantarum</i> Pickering Emulsion to Extend Cherry Tomato Shelf Life

To improve the postharvest preservation of cherry tomatoes and combat pathogenic, both bacterial and fungal contamination (particularly <i>Alternaria alternata</i>), a novel biodegradable coating was developed based on a water-in-water (W/W) Pickering emulsion system. The emulsion was st...

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Main Authors: Youwei Yu, Tian Li, Shengwang Li, Silong Jia, Xinyu Yang, Yaxuan Cui, Hui Ma, Shuaishuai Yan, Shaoying Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-08-01
Series:Foods
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/15/2729
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author Youwei Yu
Tian Li
Shengwang Li
Silong Jia
Xinyu Yang
Yaxuan Cui
Hui Ma
Shuaishuai Yan
Shaoying Zhang
author_facet Youwei Yu
Tian Li
Shengwang Li
Silong Jia
Xinyu Yang
Yaxuan Cui
Hui Ma
Shuaishuai Yan
Shaoying Zhang
author_sort Youwei Yu
collection DOAJ
description To improve the postharvest preservation of cherry tomatoes and combat pathogenic, both bacterial and fungal contamination (particularly <i>Alternaria alternata</i>), a novel biodegradable coating was developed based on a water-in-water (W/W) Pickering emulsion system. The emulsion was stabilized by <i>L. plantarum</i> (<i>Lactobacillus plantarum</i>), with maltodextrin (MD) as the dispersed phase and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) as the continuous phase. Characterization of emulsions at varying concentrations revealed that the optimized W/W-PL^8 film exhibited superior stability, smooth morphology, and low water vapor permeability (WVP = 220.437 g/(m<sup>2</sup>·24 h)), making it a promising candidate for fruit and vegetable preservation. Furthermore, the coating demonstrated strong antioxidant activity, with scavenging rates of 58.99% (ABTS) and 94.23% (DPPH), along with potent antimicrobial effects, showing inhibition rates of 12.8% against <i>Escherichia coli</i> and 23.7% against <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>. Applied to cherry tomatoes, the W/W-PL^8 coating significantly reduced respiration rates, minimized decay incidence, and maintained nutritional quality during storage. Remarkably, the coating successfully controlled <i>Alternaria alternata</i> contamination, enhancing the storage duration of cherry tomatoes. These findings highlight the potential of W/W-PL^8 as an eco-friendly and functional packaging material for fresh produce preservation.
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spelling doaj-art-b6bcc069edf9447d88b66256693ac1d02025-08-20T03:36:31ZengMDPI AGFoods2304-81582025-08-011415272910.3390/foods14152729Nature Nano-Barrier: HPMC/MD-Based <i>Lactobacillus plantarum</i> Pickering Emulsion to Extend Cherry Tomato Shelf LifeYouwei Yu0Tian Li1Shengwang Li2Silong Jia3Xinyu Yang4Yaxuan Cui5Hui Ma6Shuaishuai Yan7Shaoying Zhang8College of Food Science, Shanxi Normal University, Taiyuan 030031, ChinaCollege of Food Science, Shanxi Normal University, Taiyuan 030031, ChinaCollege of Food Science, Shanxi Normal University, Taiyuan 030031, ChinaCollege of Food Science, Shanxi Normal University, Taiyuan 030031, ChinaCollege of Food Science, Shanxi Normal University, Taiyuan 030031, ChinaCollege of Food Science, Shanxi Normal University, Taiyuan 030031, ChinaCollege of Food Science, Shanxi Normal University, Taiyuan 030031, ChinaCollege of Food Science, Shanxi Normal University, Taiyuan 030031, ChinaCollege of Food Science, Shanxi Normal University, Taiyuan 030031, ChinaTo improve the postharvest preservation of cherry tomatoes and combat pathogenic, both bacterial and fungal contamination (particularly <i>Alternaria alternata</i>), a novel biodegradable coating was developed based on a water-in-water (W/W) Pickering emulsion system. The emulsion was stabilized by <i>L. plantarum</i> (<i>Lactobacillus plantarum</i>), with maltodextrin (MD) as the dispersed phase and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) as the continuous phase. Characterization of emulsions at varying concentrations revealed that the optimized W/W-PL^8 film exhibited superior stability, smooth morphology, and low water vapor permeability (WVP = 220.437 g/(m<sup>2</sup>·24 h)), making it a promising candidate for fruit and vegetable preservation. Furthermore, the coating demonstrated strong antioxidant activity, with scavenging rates of 58.99% (ABTS) and 94.23% (DPPH), along with potent antimicrobial effects, showing inhibition rates of 12.8% against <i>Escherichia coli</i> and 23.7% against <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>. Applied to cherry tomatoes, the W/W-PL^8 coating significantly reduced respiration rates, minimized decay incidence, and maintained nutritional quality during storage. Remarkably, the coating successfully controlled <i>Alternaria alternata</i> contamination, enhancing the storage duration of cherry tomatoes. These findings highlight the potential of W/W-PL^8 as an eco-friendly and functional packaging material for fresh produce preservation.https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/15/2729Cherry tomatoCoating preservationHPMC<i>Lactobacillus plantarum</i>MDW/W Pickering emulsion
spellingShingle Youwei Yu
Tian Li
Shengwang Li
Silong Jia
Xinyu Yang
Yaxuan Cui
Hui Ma
Shuaishuai Yan
Shaoying Zhang
Nature Nano-Barrier: HPMC/MD-Based <i>Lactobacillus plantarum</i> Pickering Emulsion to Extend Cherry Tomato Shelf Life
Foods
Cherry tomato
Coating preservation
HPMC
<i>Lactobacillus plantarum</i>
MD
W/W Pickering emulsion
title Nature Nano-Barrier: HPMC/MD-Based <i>Lactobacillus plantarum</i> Pickering Emulsion to Extend Cherry Tomato Shelf Life
title_full Nature Nano-Barrier: HPMC/MD-Based <i>Lactobacillus plantarum</i> Pickering Emulsion to Extend Cherry Tomato Shelf Life
title_fullStr Nature Nano-Barrier: HPMC/MD-Based <i>Lactobacillus plantarum</i> Pickering Emulsion to Extend Cherry Tomato Shelf Life
title_full_unstemmed Nature Nano-Barrier: HPMC/MD-Based <i>Lactobacillus plantarum</i> Pickering Emulsion to Extend Cherry Tomato Shelf Life
title_short Nature Nano-Barrier: HPMC/MD-Based <i>Lactobacillus plantarum</i> Pickering Emulsion to Extend Cherry Tomato Shelf Life
title_sort nature nano barrier hpmc md based i lactobacillus plantarum i pickering emulsion to extend cherry tomato shelf life
topic Cherry tomato
Coating preservation
HPMC
<i>Lactobacillus plantarum</i>
MD
W/W Pickering emulsion
url https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/15/2729
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