Effect of chitosan nano-coating loaded with pomegranate peel extract on physicochemical and microbial characteristics of pomegranate arils during storage

Pomegranate is one of the native fruits in Iran and its consumption has been following an increasing trend especially in developed countries due to its healthy bioactive compounds. In this study, effect of edible coating (Pomegranate peel extract 1% (PPE)), Chitosan Nano Particles 1%, (CSNPs), Pomegranate peel extract loaded with Chitosan and Nano Particle Size (PPE-loaded CSNPs) on ready to eat pomegranate arils during 14 days of storage under refrigerated conditions(5±1) were investigated. pH, total soluble solids (Brix), antioxidant activity, phenolic compounds, total anthocyanin, and microbial load were analyzed after 1, 7 and 14 days of storage. The trend of pH changes was the same among different treatments. However according to the results, antioxidant activity, phenolic compounds and anthocyanins were higher in the coated pomegranate arils than in the control uncoated sample. Yeasts and molds loads in coated samples and total microbial counts were lower compared with the control. Based on the results of this study, a coating of 1% nano chitosan containing 1% pomegranate peel extract can increase the shelf life of pomegranate arils at refrigerator temperature.