# Babassu Mesocarp-Based Coating with Amazonian Plant Extracts Obtained Using Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (NADES) for Cherry Tomato Preservation

## TL;DR

This study develops a natural coating using Amazonian plant extracts to preserve cherry tomatoes, reducing spoilage and extending shelf life.

## Contribution

The study introduces a novel active packaging method using babassu mesocarp and NADES-based extracts for food preservation.

## Key findings

- CC-CA extracts showed high antioxidant and antimicrobial activity, especially against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
- Coated tomatoes maintained quality for 9 days with reduced weight loss and preserved firmness.
- Sensory analysis showed high consumer acceptance of tomatoes treated with the coating.

## Abstract

Active biopolymer-based packaging incorporating phytochemicals offers promising sustainable alternatives for reducing postharvest losses and extending food shelf life. This study aimed to advance natural food packaging by (i) developing and characterizing natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) using choline chloride combined with citric acid (CC-CA), glucose (CC-G), and urea (CC-U); (ii) obtaining bioactive extracts from Uxi bark and Jambolan leaves using these NADES; (iii) formulating babassu mesocarp-based coatings enriched with CC-CA extracts; and (iv) evaluating their application on cherry tomatoes. CC-U exhibited the lowest density (1.152 ± 0.037 g cm−3), while CC-G demonstrated the highest viscosity (18.375 ± 0.430 mPa s), and CC-CA presented the lowest polarity parameter (ENR) value (44.6 ± 0.1 kcal mol−1). Extracts obtained with CC-CA (YU-CA and JL-CA) showed high extraction efficiency, strong antioxidant activity (DPPH inhibition > 95%), and antimicrobial activity, particularly against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Although the coatings exhibited lower bioactivity than the extracts, they effectively reduced weight loss, maintained firmness, and preserved the microbiological quality of tomatoes for up to 9 days. Sensory analysis of bruschetta prepared with coated tomatoes indicated high acceptance (>80%). Babassu mesocarp-based coatings enriched with Amazonian plant extracts emerge as an innovative active packaging strategy aligned with the 2030 Agenda.