OBTAIN OF CUTIN ISOLATE FROM AGRO-FOOD WASTE FOR FOOD PRESERVATION

Abstract

Nowadays, various packaging materials are widely used in the food industry, with plastic remaining the most common due to its light weight, transparency, and mechanical strength. However, the use of plastic leads to significant environmental consequences, including its long degradation period and contribution to environmental pollution. This underscores the urgent need to develop sustainable, biodegradable, and environmentally friendly packaging alternatives.

This study explores the potential for obtaining a natural biopolymer – cutin – from tomato peels, which are classified as agro-food waste. Cutin, the main structural component of the plant cuticle, possesses unique properties such as hydrophobicity, UV resistance, biodegradability, and excellent barrier characteristics. These features make it a promising raw material for the development of edible and eco-friendly packaging films.

In this work an alkaline extract of cutin was obtained for the subsequent preparation of an aqueous dispersion of its nanoparticles. The paper provides a detailed description of the isolation process and presents the physicochemical characterization of the resulting samples. The obtained data demonstrate the high potential of cutin as a sustainable packaging material capable of replacing conventional synthetic films and extending the shelf life of food products while reducing environmental impact.