Characterization of starch from different non-traditional sources and its application as coating in ‘Palmer’ mango fruit

ABSTRACT Yam, cassava, jackfruit seed and mango seed kernel have potential for the extraction and use as starch in the food industry of starch or for the formulation of biodegradable coatings. As a biodegradable coating, starch can be applied in fruits characterized by a fast maturation, such as mango, which requires technologies to increase its shelf life. The aim of this study was to characterize starch from four non-traditional sources and to evaluate their potential as coating for ‘Palmer’ mango fruit. Starches used were extracted from cassava, mango seed kernel, jackfruit seed, and yam, and had their physical, optical, and chemical properties characterized for later use as coatings of ‘Palmer’ mango fruit. Fruits were coated with 3% cassava starch, 3.5% jackfruit seed starch, 3.5% mango seed kernel starch and 3.5% yam starch, and were compared to the control (uncoated). They were then stored at 24.4 ± 0.3 °C and 87 ± 2% RH and evaluated for 12 days. A 5x7 factorial arrangement in a completely randomized experimental design was adopted. Total starch content was higher than 70% in the four sources of starch. Starches from jackfruit and yam had higher amylose content. The four sources of starch had low water solubility and swelling power, with jackfruit seed starch having the highest values. The coating sources were effective in maintaining quality, particularly mango seed kernel starch because it reduced respiratory rate and weight loss in 27.7% and 33.8%, respectively, as well as jackfruit seed starch as it delayed fruit skin yellowing. RESUMO Inhame, mandioca, semente de jaca e amêndoa da manga têm potencial para extração de amido e utilização na indústria alimentícia ou para formulação de revestimentos biodegradáveis. Como revestimento, o amido pode ser aplicado em frutas de maturação rápida, como manga, que requer tecnologias para incrementar sua vida útil. O objetivo desse trabalho foi caracterizar o amido de fontes não tradicionais e avaliar o potencial como revestimento em manga ‘Palmer’. Os amidos foram extraídos de mandioca, amêndoa de manga, semente de jaca e inhame, tendo sido caracterizados para propriedades físicas, ópticas e químicas, para posterior uso como revestimentos em manga ‘Palmer’. Os revestimentos utilizados foram amido de mandioca a 3%; de semente de jaca a 3,5%; de amêndoa de manga a 3,5% e de inhame a 3,5%, que foram comparados ao controle (sem revestimento). Os frutos foram armazenados a 24,4 ± 0,3 °C e 87 ± 2% de UR e avalia