Enhancing the quality and shelf life of strawberries: Study of pectin-based films and application of coatings with natural deep eutectic solvents and Moringa oleifera leaf extract

Strawberries are delicious, but they spoil fast. Now, a new eco-friendly coating made from moringa leaves and natural deep eutectic solvents might keep them fresh longer.

Strawberries are packed with nutrients, but they have a short shelf life. Scientists are fighting back with a clever combination: a natural deep eutectic solvent (NADES) made from choline chloride and maltose, and moringa leaf extract. This green duo acts as both an extracting agent and a plasticizer in pectin-based films.

The NADES extract proved highly efficient, pulling out phenolic compounds at 36.25 mg GAE/g, with strong antioxidant activity measured by ORAC and ABTS assays. When added to pectin films, the NADES and extract increased water vapor permeability compared to control films, but also improved structural homogeneity, making the films more flexible and uniform.

In practical tests, these films were applied as edible coatings on strawberries. Over 11 days at 4°C, coated fruits showed reduced weight loss and decay, and better retention of firmness, acidity, soluble solids, and anthocyanins. The coatings acted like a protective shield, preserving quality.

This research highlights a sustainable path for food preservation. The next step is optimizing these formulations for broader use and industrial scale-up. For now, the humble strawberry might just have found its green knight.

Key Points

• NADES extract from moringa leaves shows high phenolic content and antioxidant activity.
• Pectin films with NADES have better structure but higher water vapor permeability.
• Coatings reduce weight loss and decay in strawberries over 11 days.