Fabrication and Characterization of Taro (Colocasia esculenta)-Mucilage-Based Nanohydrogel for Shelf-Life Extension of Fresh-Cut Apples

Taro mucilage is a cost-effective, eco-friendly, and water-soluble edible viscous polysaccharide, which possesses diverse techno-functional properties including gelling and anti-microbial. Therefore, the objective of this study was to formulate and evaluate the efficacy of taro mucilage nanohydrogel for the shelf-life enhancement of fresh-cut apples. Taro mucilage was extracted using cold water extraction, and the yield of mucilage was found to be 2.95 ± 0.35% on a dry basis. Different concentrations of mucilage (1, 2, 3, 4, and 5%) were used to formulate the nanohydrogel. A smaller droplet size of 175.61 ± 0.92 nm was observed at 3% mucilage, with a zeta potential of −30.25 ± 0.94 mV. Moreover, FTIR data of nanohydrogel revealed the functional groups of various sugars, uronic acids, and proteins. Thermal analysis of nanohydrogel exhibited weight loss in three phases, and maximum weight loss occurred from 110.25 °C to 324.27 °C (65.16%). Nanohydrogel showed shear-thinning fluid or pseudo-plastic behavior. Coating treatment of nanohydrogel significantly reduced the weight loss of fresh-cut apples (8.72 ± 0.46%) as compared to the control sample (12.25 ± 0.78%) on the 10th day. In addition, minor changes were observed in the pH for both samples during the 10 days of storage. Titrable acidity of control fresh-cut apples measured 0.22 ± 0.05% on day 0, rising to 0.42 ± 0.03% on the 10th day, and for coated fresh-cut apples, it was observed to be 0.24 ± 0.07% on the 0th day and 0.36 ± 0.06% on 10th day, respectively. Furthermore, the total soluble solids (TSS) content of both control and coated fresh-cut apples measured on the 0th day was 11.85 ± 0.65% and 12.33 ± 0.92%, respectively. On the 10th day, these values were significantly increased (p < 0.05) to 16.38 ± 0.42% for the control and 14.26 ± 0.39% for the coated sliced apples, respectively. Nanohydrogel-coated fresh-cut apples retained antioxidant activity and vitamin C content as compared to the control sample. Taro mucilage nanohydrogel-based edible coating showed distinct anti-microbial activity against psychrotrophic, aerobic, and yeast molds. In summary, taro mucilage nanohydrogel can be used as a cost-effective natural coating material for the shelf-life enhancement or freshness maintenance of fresh-cut apples.