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Chemical and Biological Technologies in Agriculture
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Synergistic effects of modified atmosphere packaging and cinnamaldehyde on bioactive compounds, aerobic mesophilic and psychrophilic bacteria of pomegranate arils during cold storage

Chemical and Biological Technologies in Agriculture volume 9, Article number: 24 (2022) Cite this article

Abstract

Background

Ready-to-eat pomegranate arils are very perishable. In this research, the effect of packaging with two kinds of films fumigated with cinnamaldehyde (0, 100, 150, and 200 μL L−1), evaluated on bioactive compounds and microbial contamination of pomegranate arils during cold storage.

Results

Polyethylene + polyester (PE + PES) film containing cinnamaldehyde, preserved lightness (L*), and chroma index (C*) as compared with biaxial-oriented polypropylene (BOPP) film containing cinnamaldehyde. Anthocyanin content and phenolic compounds decreased during storage. PE + PES film containing cinnamaldehyde caused a significant delay in decreasing the trend of total antioxidant activity (TAA) during storage. The lowest number of aerobic mesophilic bacteria and psychrophilic bacteria were related to PE + PES film containing cinnamaldehyde.

Conclusions

Packaging with PE + PES film containing 200 μL L−1 cinnamaldehyde was the best treatment for preservation of bioactive compounds and extending the shelf life of pomegranate arils up to 25 days. This new packaging technique is promising for the preservation of pomegranate ready-to-use arils.

Graphical Abstract

Introduction

Pomegranate is a nutritious fruit that is a favorite of many people worldwide. Recently, pomegranate arils are supplied instead of whole fruit due to fruit peeling problems. Pomegranate juice contains a considerable amount of sugars, organic acids, phenolic compounds, anthocyanins, amino acids, ascorbic acid (AA), and minerals [1]. Due to new findings of the effect of pomegranate arils on human health, it has received great popularity and its global production is increasing [2].

On the other hand, consumers' demand for fresh, healthy, and ready-to-eat crops resulted in increased industrial production of minimally processed fruits and vegetables. Minimally processing and packaging of fruit is an economical method to change fruit into 100% usable product. Minimally processing pomegranate is a beneficial technique to increase pomegranate consumption [3]. Ready-to-eat arils are sensitive to enzymatic browning, contamination by microorganisms, and loss of nutritional value [4]. Microorganisms limit post-harvest life. Microorganisms based on the temperature requirement for optimal growth include psychrophilic with an optimum growth temperature of 7 °C, mesophilic with an optimum growth temperature of 20–25 °C, and thermophilic with an optimum growth temperature above 30 °C [5]. Mesophilic and psychrophilic bacteria are effective microorganisms after harvesting fresh-cut crops. Packaging protects arils against mechanical injury, microbial spoilage, and also improves organoleptic quality and marketability. Polymer films by creating a modified atmosphere, increase the shelf life of products. Atmospheric composition inside the packaging is influenced by the polymer film permeability and respiration of the product.

The most important films used in the packaging of fresh products are polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) [6]. It has been reported that PE and cellophane have a significant influence on the flavor and visual quality of blood orange fruit [7]. Packaging of fresh-cut apple cv. Fuji in PVC and nanofilm preserved the amount of soluble solids content (SSC) and titratable acidity (TA), reduced decay, and inhibited polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD) enzymes activity [8]. Pomegranate arils cv. Mridula packed in PP film had a lower rate of respiration, changing of color, and total sugars as compared with low-density PE film during cold storage [9].

Packaging of pomegranate arils is also effective for protecting against external pollution. Nevertheless, high humidity in the pack may increase fungal contamination and moisture accumulation on the surface film may have an adverse effect on the permeability properties of the film and may create an undesirable atmosphere. On the other hand, the tendency to use “green” processed products forces post-harvest physiologists to find Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) products. So, the preparation of natural antimicrobial compounds from plant extracts has increased recently in order to improve the quality and safety of agricultural and industrial products [10].

Cinnamon in Asian countries is used traditionally and has biological activities such as antifungal, anti-insects, and antioxidant properties. Cinnamaldehyde is an aldehyde aromatic compound and the main part of cinnamon peel extract (about 65%). Also, it has an antimicrobial effect against many organisms and does not require direct contact for antimicrobial activity [11]. It has been classified as a GRAS compound by USA's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and has been confirmed to use in food products [12].

Effects of biocontrol of cinnamon extract on inhibition of post-harvest spoilage fungi have been proven [13]. Phenolic compounds are the main antioxidants in pomegranate, which determine its antioxidant activity. Essential oil components have the ability to increase the level of antioxidants (polyphenols, flavonoids, anthocyanins) in plant tissues which increases the oxygen uptake and hydroxyl radical scavenging capacity of tissues [14]. In this research, we hypothesized that the integration of cinnamaldehyde as an antimicrobial agent with modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) may prevent the growth of microorganisms synergistically and increase the shelf life of pomegranate cv. Rabbab which is one of the commercially important Iranian pomegranate cultivars. This cultivar is late ripening, medium to large size with thick red rind and red arils. In this cultivar, the size of arils is small and the fruit calyx length is short. Fruit has a thick peel. This cultivar is suitable for long time cold storage and export [15]. The purpose of this research was to investigate the effects of passive MAP in combination with cinnamaldehyde fumigation on bioactive compounds and the shelf life of pomegranate arils.

Materials and methods

Chemicals

Cinnamaldehyde (purity ≥ 99%, CAS number 104-55-2) was purchased from Sigma-Aldrich Company.

Fruit material, treatment, and storage condition

Pomegranate cv. ‘Rabbab’ were harvested at the commercial maturity stage and transported to the laboratory by ventilated car (~ 100 km). The fruits were selected based on uniformity in size, shape, and color before treatment. Then, they were disinfected with 1% sodium hypochlorite for 5 min and washed with distilled water. Pomegranate arils were separated from the peel by hand and blended. In each test unit, 50 g of arils was considered. Different concentrations of cinnamaldehyde including 0, 100, 150, and 200 μL L−1 were used as fumigation on a sterile gauze [16]. Arils packaged with two kinds of BOPP films with 150 × 250 mm dimensions, 40 µm thickness and PE + PES with 150 × 250 mm dimensions, 90 µm thickness (Table 1). Then samples were stored at 5 ± 1 °C and 92 ± 3% RH for 25 days. Sampling and measurement of parameters were performed every 5 days.

Table 1 Permeability properties of two types of film polymers
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Measurement of color characteristics

The external color was determined by measuring L* (lightness), a* (greenness to redness), and b* (blueness to yellowness (with Minolta Chroma-meter (CR-400, Japan) and converted to chroma (C*) which represents the intensity or saturation of the color and Hue angle (h°) which indicates the type of color by Eqs. (1) and (2), respectively [17]:

$$C^{*} = \left[ {\left( {a^{* } } \right)^{2} + \left( {b^{*} } \right)^{2} } \right]^{1/2} ,$$
(1)
$$h^{* } = \tan^{-1} \left( {b^{*} /a^{*} } \right).$$
(2)

SSC, pH, and TA

SSC was measured with a digital refractometer (MA871, Hungary) at 20 ± 1 °C which was calibrated with distilled water, and results were expressed as percent (%). pH of the fruit juice was measured using a digital pH meter (3510, England). For measurement of TA, 3 mL of fruit juice was titrated with NaOH (0.1 N) to pH 8.2 [18]. The results were stated as a percentage of citric acid using Eq. (3):

$$\% {\text{TA}}\left( {{\text{wt}}/{\text{vol}}} \right) = \left( {{{N \times V_{1} \times {\text{Eq}}.{\text{wt}}} \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{N \times V_{1} \times {\text{Eq}}.{\text{wt}}} {V_{2} \times 1000}}} \right. \kern-\nulldelimiterspace} {V_{2} \times 1000}}} \right) \times 100,$$
(3)

where V1 and V2 are used NaOH volume and sample volume, respectively, based on the weight equivalent of predominant acid (citric acid: C6H8O7 = 192.124 g mol−1).

Total phenols content (TPC) evaluation

TPC was measured by Folin–Ciocalteu reagent [19]. Briefly, 60 µL of extract was mixed with 900 µL of 2% sodium carbonate. After 3 min incubation at room temperature, 180 µL of 50% Folin–Ciocalteu reagent was added, and the mixture was incubated for 30 min at the same condition. The absorbance was recorded at 750 nm using a microplate spectrophotometer (Epoch Biotech, Germany). The concentration of TPC was expressed as gallic acid equivalent (GAE) per L of fruit extract.

Total anthocyanins content (TAC) evaluation

Anthocyanin concentration was determined based on pH differential method as described by Lako et al. [20] with some modifications. 0.05 mL of aril juice of each treatment was mixed with potassium chloride buffer with pH 1.0 (0.025 M) and sodium acetate buffer with pH 4.5 (0.4 M), separately. The absorbance of the resulting mixtures was measured at 510 and 700 nm by a microplate spectrophotometer (Epoch Biotech, Germany). The results were expressed as mg cyanidin-3-glucoside per L of juice. To determine TAC, the absorbance (A) was first calculated by Eq. (4) [20]:

$$A = \left( {A_{510} - A_{700} } \right)pH_{1.0} - \left( {A_{510} - A_{700} } \right){\text{pH}}_{4.5} .$$
(4)

TAC based on the concentration of cyanidin-3-glucoside was calculated by Eq. (5) [20]:

$${\text{TAC}}\left( {{\text{mg}}\;{\text{L}}^{ - 1} } \right) = {{A \times {\text{MW}} \times {\text{DF}} \times 1000} \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{A \times {\text{MW}} \times {\text{DF}} \times 1000} \varepsilon }} \right. \kern-\nulldelimiterspace} \varepsilon },$$
(5)

where A is the absorbance, MW is the molecular weight of cyanidin-3-glucoside (449.2), DF is the dilution factor [5] and ε is the molar absorptive coefficient of cyanidin-3-glucoside (26,900).

Total antioxidant activity (TAA) evaluation

The antioxidant activity of each extract was measured using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method [21]. 100 µL of the extract was incorporated with 1 mL of DPPH (0.1 mM) and incubated at room temperature for 30 min. Then, the absorbance was measured using a microplate spectrophotometer (Epoch Biotech, Germany) at 517 nm. TAA was evaluated by Eq. (6):

$$\% {\text{TAA}} = \left[ {{{{\text{Abs}}_{{{\text{control}}}} - {\text{Abs}}_{{{\text{sample}}}} } \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{{\text{Abs}}_{{{\text{control}}}} - {\text{Abs}}_{{{\text{sample}}}} } {{\text{Abs}}_{{{\text{control}}}} }}} \right. \kern-\nulldelimiterspace} {{\text{Abs}}_{{{\text{control}}}} }}} \right] \times 100.$$
(6)

Ascorbic acid

10 mL of 1% metaphosphoric acid was blended with 100 µL of fruit extract, and then 1 mL of the mixture was added to 9 mL of 50 μM 2,6-dichlorophenol indophenols and was vortexed for 5 s. The absorbance was measured using the spectrophotometer (Spectronic 20D, USA) at 515 nm [22].

Determination of microbial contamination

10 g of pomegranate arils was mixed with 90 ml of NaCl solution and homogenized by stomacher for 1 min. Dilutions (0.1, 0.01, 0.001) were prepared by NaCl solution. Microbial culture as pour plate was performed in plate count agar medium (PCA) for aerobic mesophilic and psychrophilic bacteria. All steps were performed under sterile conditions. The incubation condition for aerobic mesophilic bacteria was 37 ± 1 °C for 48 h, and 6.5 ± 1 °C during 5–7 days for psychrophilic bacteria [23]. The number of microbial colonies was calculated based on log of the number of colonies per gram of pomegranate aril.

Statistical analysis

All experiments were repeated in duplicate. The experimental data were analyzed according to a three-factor factorial design, including different polymer films, concentrations of essential oils, and storage period based on a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replicates. Data were subjected to the analysis of variance (ANOVA) using SAS software ver. 9.4 (Statistical Analysis System, SAS Institute Inc. 1985). The means were evaluated using Duncan's multiple range tests to analyze the difference between treatments and intervals at a 99% confidence level of each variable.

Results

Results of variance analysis showed the significant effect of treatments on L* value, chroma index, and hue angle (except interaction effects of polymer film and storage time on chroma) at 1% level of probability. The amount of L* and chroma index showed a decreasing trend during storage. The most amounts of L* value (17.77) and chroma index (23.40) were found in arils packaged with PE + PES film containing 200 μL L−1 cinnamaldehyde at the first day of storage with significant (P ≤ 0.01) differences with the other treatments at the same time. The least amount of L* value (3.96) and least amount of chroma index (3.93) were found in BOPP film without cinnamaldehyde on the tenth day after treatment; however, it was not significantly (P ≤ 0.01) different with BOPP film containing 100 μL L−1 cinnamaldehyde and PE + PES film without cinnamaldehyde at the same time. The most amount of hue angle (59.41) was recorded in BOPP film without cinnamaldehyde on the tenth day of storage with significant (P ≤ 0.01) differences with the other treatments at the same time. The least amount of hue angle (27.10) was recorded in PE + PES film containing 200 μL L−1 cinnamaldehyde on the first day of storage, however, it was not significant (P ≤ 0.01) different from the other treatments at the same time. The differences between the maximum and minimum amount of L* value, chroma index, and hue angle treatments during storage were 13.81, 19.47, and 32.31, respectively (Tables 2, 3 and 4).

Table 2 Mean comparison interaction effects of the polymer film (BOPP: biaxial-oriented polypropylene and PE + PES: polyethylene + polyester), cinnamaldehyde and storage time on L* value of pomegranate arils
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Table 3 Mean comparison interaction effects of the polymer film (BOPP: biaxial-oriented polypropylene and PE + PES: polyethylene + polyester), cinnamaldehyde and storage time on chroma index of pomegranate arils
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Table 4 Mean comparison interaction effects of the polymer film (BOPP: biaxial-oriented polypropylene and PE + PES: polyethylene + polyester), cinnamaldehyde and storage time on hue angle of pomegranate arils
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The quality standard for the entry of fruit into the market is the ratio of SSC to TA [24]. Results of variance analysis showed that the main effect, interaction effects of 2- and 3-fold treatments were significant on the amounts of SSC (P ≤ 0.01). The changes in SSC showed increasing trend during storage. The most amount of SSC (18.5%) was recorded in arils packaged with BOPP film without cinnamaldehyde at the tenth day of storage with significant (P < 0.01) differences with the other treatments at the same time and the least amount (%16.58) was found in arils packaged with PE + PES film containing 200 μL L−1 cinnamaldehyde on the first day after treatment with significant (P < 0.01) differences with the other treatments at the same time. The difference between the maximum and minimum amount of SSC was 1.92% during storage (Table 5).

Table 5 Mean comparison interaction effects of the polymer film (BOPP: biaxial-oriented polypropylene and PE + PES: polyethylene + polyester), cinnamaldehyde and storage time on soluble solids content (%) of pomegranate arils
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TA is related to the concentration of fruits' dominant organic acids. The results of variance analysis showed that the main effect, interaction effects of 2- and 3-fold treatments on TA and pH were significant (P ≤ 0.01). Changes in TA showed decreasing trend during storage. The most amount of TA (1.38%) and the least amount of pH (3.08) were found in arils packaged with PE + PES film containing 200 μL L−1 cinnamaldehyde on the first day of storage with significant (P ≤ 0.01) differences with the other treatments. The least amount of TA (1.06%) and the most amount of pH (3.41) were found in arils packaged in BOPP film without cinnamaldehyde on the tenth day of storage with significant (P ≤ 0.01) differences with the other treatments at the same time. During storage, the differences between the maximum and minimum amount of TA and pH were 0.32% and 0.33, respectively (Tables 6 and 7).

Table 6 Mean comparison interaction effects of the polymer film (BOPP: biaxial-oriented polypropylene and PE + PES: polyethylene + polyester), cinnamaldehyde and storage time on titratable acidity (%) of pomegranate arils
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Table 7 Mean comparison interaction effects of the polymer film (BOPP: biaxial-oriented polypropylene and PE + PES: polyethylene + polyester), cinnamaldehyde and storage time on pH of pomegranate arils
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Results of variance analysis showed that the main effect, interaction effects of 2- and 3-fold treatments on total phenols were significant (P ≤ 0.01). Changes in total phenols showed a decreasing trend during storage. The most content of total phenols (8332.83 mg GAE L−1) was found in arils packaged in PE + PES film containing 200 μL L−1 cinnamaldehyde at the first day of storage, however, it was not significantly (P ≤ 0.01) different with PE + PES film containing 100 and 150 μL L−1 cinnamaldehyde at the same time. The least amount (4948.66 mg GAE L−1) was found in BOPP film without cinnamaldehyde on the tenth day after treatment; however, it was not significantly (P ≤ 0.01) different with BOPP film containing 100 μL L−1 cinnamaldehyde at the same time. During storage, the difference between the maximum and minimum content of total phenols was 3384.17 mg GAE L−1 (Table 8).

Table 8 Mean comparison interaction effects of the polymer film (BOPP: biaxial-oriented polypropylene and PE + PES: polyethylene + polyester), cinnamaldehyde and storage time on total phenols content (mg GAE L−1) of pomegranate arils
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Results of variance analysis showed that the main effect, interaction effects of 2- and 3-fold treatments on content of anthocyanins were significant (P ≤ 0.01). Changes in anthocyanins showed a decreasing trend during storage. The most content of anthocyanins (176.72 mg L−1) was found in arils packaged in PE + PES film containing 200 μL L−1 cinnamaldehyde at the first day of storage, however, it was not significantly (P ≤ 0.01) different with PE + PES film containing 100 and 150 μL L−1 cinnamaldehyde and BOPP film containing 150 and 200 μL L−1 cinnamaldehyde at the same time. The least amount (118.93 mg L−1) was found in BOPP film without cinnamaldehyde on the tenth day after treatment with significant (P ≤ 0.01) differences with the other treatments at the same time. During storage, the difference between the maximum and minimum content of total anthocyanins was 57.79 mg L−1 (Table 9).

Table 9 Mean comparison interaction effects of the polymer film (BOPP: biaxial-oriented polypropylene and PE + PES: polyethylene + polyester), cinnamaldehyde and storage time on total anthocyanins content (mg L−1) of pomegranate arils
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Results of variance analysis showed that the main effect, interaction effects of 2- and 3-fold treatments were significant (P ≤ 0.01) on TAA. Changes of TAA showed a decreasing trend during storage. The most amount of TAA (74.5%) was found in arils packaged in PE + PES film containing 200 μL L−1 cinnamaldehyde at the first day of storage with significant (P ≤ 0.01) differences with the other treatments at the same time. Also, the least amount of TAA (32.83%) was found in BOPP film without cinnamaldehyde on the tenth day of storage with significant (P ≤ 0.01) differences with the other treatments at the same time. During storage, the difference between the maximum and minimum amount of TAA was 41.67% (Table 10).

Table 10 Mean comparison interaction effects of the polymer film (BOPP: biaxial-oriented polypropylene and PE + PES: polyethylene + polyester), cinnamaldehyde and storage time on total antioxidant activity (% DPPH) of pomegranate arils
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AA is an important antioxidant involved in reducing the rate of senescence. Results of variance analysis showed that the main effect, interaction effects of 2- and 3-fold treatments on AA amount were significant (P ≤ 0.01). Changes of AA showed an increasing trend up to 15 days of storage and then decreased to the end of storage. The most amount of AA (25.19 mg L−1) was found in arils packaged in PE + PES film containing 200 μL L−1 cinnamaldehyde on the 15th day of storage with significant (P ≤ 0.01) differences with the other treatments at the same time. Also, the least amount (5.68 mg L−1) was found in BOPP film without cinnamaldehyde on the tenth day of storage, however, it was not significantly (P ≤ 0.01) different with BOPP film containing 100 and 150 μL L−1 cinnamaldehyde and PE + PES film without cinnamaldehyde at the same time. During storage, the difference between the maximum and minimum amount of AA was 19.51 mg L−1 (Table 11).

Table 11 Mean comparison interaction effects of the polymer film (BOPP: biaxial-oriented polypropylene and PE + PES: polyethylene + polyester), cinnamaldehyde and storage time on ascorbic acid content (mg L−1) of pomegranate arils
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Results of variance analysis showed that the main effect, interaction effects of 2- and 3-fold treatments on the number of aerobic mesophilic bacteria were significant (P ≤ 0.01). Changes in colony forming units (CFU) of aerobic mesophilic bacteria showed an increasing trend during storage. During storage, the most CFU of aerobic mesophilic bacteria (2.33 Log CFU g−1) was found in arils packaged in PE + PES film without cinnamaldehyde at the fifteenth day of storage with significant (P ≤ 0.01) differences with the other treatments at the same time. While the lowest number of aerobic mesophilic bacteria (1 Log CFU g−1) were found in arils packaged with PE + PES film containing 200 μL L−1 cinnamaldehyde at the same time. During storage, the lowest number of aerobic mesophilic bacteria (0 Log CFU g−1) was found in arils packaged in PE + PES film containing 150 and 200 μL L−1 cinnamaldehyde at the first day of storage with significant (P ≤ 0.01) differences with the other treatments at the same time (Table 12).

Table 12 Mean comparison interaction effects of the polymer film (BOPP: biaxial-oriented polypropylene and PE + PES: polyethylene + polyester), cinnamaldehyde and storage time on aerobic mesophilic bacteria (Log CFU g−1) of pomegranate arils
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Results of variance analysis showed that the main effect, interaction effects of twofold (cinnamaldehyde × storage time and polymer film × storage time) and threefold treatments on the number of psychrophilic bacteria were significant (P ≤ 0.01). Changes in CFU of psychrophilic bacteria showed an increasing trend during storage. During storage, the most CFU of psychrophilic bacteria (4.46 Log CFU g−1) was found in arils packaged in BOPP film without cinnamaldehyde at the tenth day of storage with significant (P ≤ 0.01) differences with the other treatments at the same time. While the lowest number of psychrophilic bacteria (2.1 Log CFU g−1) were found in arils packaged with PE + PES film containing 200 μL L−1 cinnamaldehyde at the same time. During storage, the lowest number of psychrophilic bacteria (0 Log CFU g−1) was found in arils packaged in PE + PES film containing 100, 150, and 200 μL L−1 cinnamaldehyde at the first day of storage with significant (P ≤ 0.01) differences with the other treatments at the same time (Table 13).

Table 13 Mean comparison interaction effects of the polymer film (BOPP: biaxial-oriented polypropylene and PE + PES: polyethylene + polyester), cinnamaldehyde and storage time on psychrophilic bacteria (Log CFU g−1) of pomegranate arils
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Discussion

PE + PES film-maintained L* value during storage due to low permeability to O2. It has been shown that MAP reduces discoloration [25]. These effects could be related to the delayed biosynthesis of anthocyanins and carotenoids [26]. The beneficial effect of essential oil on the maintenance of L* is in line with previous findings with Artess et al. Active components of menthol, thymol, and eugenol in a controlled atmosphere have resulted in a reduced color change of grapes and cherry [24]. Grape packaging with menthol and eugenol decreased changes of L* and a* values depending on the concentration of active components. Delay in senescence is a reason for decreasing color change and maintaining lightness due to the use of essential oils [16].

The chroma index indicates the intensity of the color or its saturation degree. Fruit with less chroma has less color clarity [27]. In accordance with our results, packaging conditions and storage time have a significant effect on the color purity of arils [28]. In this research, the chroma index decreased during storage time significantly which can be related to the senescence of fruit. Differences in the efficiency of films for protecting color index can be related to their ability in delaying senescence and decreasing the activity of anthocyanins' destructive enzymes [29]. Nevertheless, there are contradictory reports that MAP and storage time do not influence color parameters [30]. It seems that TAA of essential oils decreases the breakdown of pigments, fruit color change, and browning disorder [24].

Hue angle is an index of fruit color. Following our results, increasing hue angle during storage time was reported earlier [3], which indicates the destruction of anthocyanins during storage time [31].

PE films are not permeable to WV molecules and therefore create a micro atmosphere around the fruit that is saturated with moisture [32]. Percent of SSC depends on the content of soluble solids and fruit moisture. The higher amount of SSC in arils packaged with PE + PES film may be attributed to decreased respiration and lower WV transmission from package film. In accordance to our results, increase in the sugar content of pomegranate cv. ‘wonderful’ has reported under controlled atmosphere condition [33].

Reducing acid and increasing sugar that occurs simultaneously during storage time may be the result of changing acids into sugars or gluconeogenesis [34]. As the pomegranate is a non-climacteric fruit, increasing SSC is due to a decrease in weight loss over time and concentration of fruit juice [35].

PE + PES containing essential oil caused better preservation of organic acids may be due to creating an optimal atmosphere, reducing respiration, and preventing the consumption of organic acids during metabolic processes as compared with BOPP film containing essential oil and films without essential oil. According to these findings, pH of arils in different packages enhanced during storage time which was the result of decline in TA [36]. In line with these results, preservation of acidity was observed in pomegranate cv. ‘Mollar de Elche’ during storage under modified atmosphere, which may be due to the changes in metabolic activity under abiotic stresses [37]. Films with low permeability lead to increase carbon dioxide and decreased pH [35]. It seems in packages containing high carbon dioxide, respiration and degradation of organic acids are reduced. Also, dissolution of carbon dioxide may produce carbonic acid (HCO3) and H+ which lead to a decrease in pH [38].

Film permeability needs to be balanced to create a favorable modified atmosphere, decrease fruit metabolism, respiration rate, and consumption of respiratory substrates, and slow down the ripening process after harvest. Our results are in line with those noted that essential oil reduces the consumption of organic acids by reducing oxidative processes such as respiration, ripening, and senescence [39].

Preservation of phenolic compounds in arils packaged with PE + PES film is may be due to the induction of non-biological stress by a high concentration of CO2 [40]. Preservation of phenolic compounds in arils packaged with PE + PES film is may be due to the increase in phenylpropanoid pathway under low oxygen stress [41]. According to the results of Fawole and Opara [2], essential oils maintained higher levels of phenolic compounds than the control.

Anthocyanins are polyphenolic compounds that exist in pomegranate peel and arils [36]. It seems that the permeability of polymer films to O2 and CO2 and also contents of these gases around packaged products can influence the amounts of anthocyanin, rate of synthesis, and its degradation. PE + PES film protected anthocyanins because of low permeability to O2 and CO2 that's corresponded with obtained results in pomegranate cv. Hicaznar [30]. According to results reported for plum and strawberry, more stability of anthocyanins in a controlled atmosphere was due to lack of oxidation [30, 36]. Nevertheless, excessive concentration of CO2 in controlled atmosphere conditions prevents the activity of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase enzyme, anthocyanins synthesis and converts phenylalanine into cyanide acid and it also barricades disorder in the conversion of cyanide acid into hydroxyl phenolic compounds [42].

Anthocyanin content is influenced by pH, acidity, sugar, and other phenolic compounds so using the pH destroys anthocyanin [43]. In our findings, a decrease in anthocyanins is described by increased pH during storage time. Essential oil reduces the reaction of anthocyanins with O2 by saturating the inner space of the pack and then placing it on the arils. Anti-senescence properties of essential oil are effective in reducing the degradation of polyphenols and preserving the high contents of phenolic compounds. Most of the antioxidant capacity of pomegranate is related to phenol compounds. Therefore, if phenolic content decreases, the reduction of TAA will be predictable [44].

Preservation of TAA in arils packaged in PE + PES film is may be due to lower O2 content, which increases antioxidant capacity by scavenging free radicals [45]. Addition of essential oils or their components to packages have a synergistic effect on TAA. These results are in line with the previous report on the use of essential oils on food products which increased antioxidant properties [46]. Considerable reduction of antioxidant activity in BOPP film may be due to high permeability to O2. It has been found that high concentrations of oxygen decrease the major antioxidant compounds of pomegranate arils such as anthocyanins and other phenolic compounds because of acceleration in oxidation [30] and increases the production of free radicals [45].

In this work, the use of PE + PES film resulted in a little change in the amount of AA during storage may be due to the low permeability to O2. Also, preventing the effects of film on the humidity inside the package is effective in keeping AA. The amount of AA is strongly influenced by the water loss, and in fact, the reduction of fruit juice causes the oxidation of AA [47]. Preserving organic acids in arils packaged with PE + PES films can be a possible explanation for maintaining AA as organic acid [48]. According to our results, the amount of AA in grapes treated with menthol and thymol [16] and strawberry treated with thymol [49] increased during storage. The reduction of AA as an antioxidant agent is due to its use as an electron donor to oxidants for neutralizing free radicals in the final days of storage [50]. Also, decreased AA is attributed to fruit respiration and chilling injury [49].

Polymer films prevent the growth of microorganisms by changing the ratio of respiratory gases and reducing respiration, delaying aging, reducing physiological abnormalities [51]. CO2 has an inhibitory effect on the growth of Gram-negative and aerobic bacteria. Research shows that the antimicrobial potential of CO2 against psychrophilic bacteria is due to its greater solubility at low temperatures and therefore can increase the shelf life of food at low temperatures [52]. CO2 when dissolved in water, produces H2CO3, which decreases pH of food products. Low pH inhibits the microorganism’s growth by delay in the lag phase. Therefore, the levels of soluble CO2 in the product are determinative of the inhibit microbial growth in a modified atmosphere [36, 53]. PE + PES films reduced the microbial load compared to BOPP by preserving carbon dioxide. Essential oils have an inhibitory effect on the growth of microorganisms [54]. According to the results of this experiment, eugenol, thymol, and menthol in a controlled atmosphere in grapes and cherries reduced microbial growth significantly [24]. Cinnamaldehyde and carvacrol are effective in reducing the microflora of fruits and this effect is more in fruits that have lower pH. In general, at lower pH, essential oils and their components are more effective [55]. Seems The effect of cinnamaldehyde in controlling microbial load to be due to the low pH of pomegranate aril. The inhibitory effects of cinnamaldehyde are probably due to the binding of its carbonyl group to proteins and the inhibition of the role of the aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase. Also, the inhibitory effects of compounds with aldehyde structure are due to the reaction of the sulfhydryl group with microorganisms [55].

Conclusion

Packaging of pomegranate arils in PE + PES films containing 200 μL L−1 cinnamaldehyde could extend the shelf life of arils up to 25 days compared with BOPP films containing 200 μL L−1 cinnamaldehyde which extended arils shelf life up to 10 days. PE + PES films containing 200 μL L−1 cinnamaldehyde could preserve pomegranate arils by preventing the change of color, maintaining color indices and TA, SSC, anthocyanins, total phenols, TAA, AA and inhibition of microbial load. Packaging in a film with low permeability to O2 and CO2 creates a desirable atmosphere around the product and keeps the qualitative characteristics. Cinnamaldehyde due to its strong antioxidant properties, Prevents the oxidation of bioactive compounds. Also, due to their antimicrobial properties, they will inhibit microbial contamination and increase shelf life.

Availability of data and materials

All data are available upon request.

Abbreviations

PE + PES:

Polyethylene + polyester (PE + PES)

C*:

Chroma

BOPP:

Biaxial-oriented polypropylene

TAA:

Total antioxidant activity

AA:

Ascorbic acid

PE:

Polyethylene

PP:

Polypropylene

PVC:

Polyvinyl chloride

SSC:

Soluble solids content

TA:

Titratable acidity

PPO:

Polyphenol oxidase

POD:

Peroxidase

GRAS:

Generally recognized as safe

FDA:

Food and Drug Administration

MAP:

Modified atmosphere packaging

TPC:

Total phenol content

TAC:

Total anthocyanins content

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the staff of Shiraz University for comprehensively supporting this study.

Funding

This research was supported by the Research Affairs Office at Shiraz University (Grant # 99GCB1M153030).

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    Azam Ranjbar & Asghar Ramezanian

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Ranjbar, A., Ramezanian, A. Synergistic effects of modified atmosphere packaging and cinnamaldehyde on bioactive compounds, aerobic mesophilic and psychrophilic bacteria of pomegranate arils during cold storage. Chem. Biol. Technol. Agric. 9, 24 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40538-022-00290-7

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