Inhibition Effect of Chitosan Against Bacteria and Fungi Isolated from Rotten Fruits and Vegetables

Authors

  • Komal Department of Botany, Women University Mardan, Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
  • Sania Ejaz Department of Phytopathology, Federal University of Lavras, MG, Brazil
  • Amna Sultan Department of Microbiology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
  • Wasim Khan Department of Botany, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan 23200, Pakistan.
  • Syeda Sundas Begum Department of Botany, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan 23200, Pakistan.
  • Shayan Rasheed Department Grupo de Pesquisa Química de Materiais, Federal University of São João Del Rei, Brazil.
  • Zeeshan Qadir Department of Food Science & Technology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 23200, Pakistan.
  • Fathma Gul Department of Botany, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan 23200, Pakistan.
  • Mansoor Ali Department of Botany, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan 23200, Pakistan.
  • Saima Maqbool Department of Botany, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan 23200, Pakistan.
  • Muhammad Tauqeer ul Haq Department of Horticulture, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
  • Zakir Ullah Department of Food Science & Technology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 23200, Pakistan.
  • Safia Gul Lecturer, University College for Women, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.70749/ijbr.v3i6.2094

Keywords:

Bio conservation, Eco-preservation, Phytobiotics, Green technologies, Microbial interactions

Abstract

This study aimed to isolate bacterial strains from spoiled fruits and vegetables and evaluate their antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant activities, along with exploring the potential of chitosan in extending the shelf life of fresh produce. Bacterial isolates were obtained through nutrient agar plates, followed by Gram staining to identify the strains. The bacteria identified were Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus spp. based on their morphological characteristics. The antibacterial activity of these strains was assessed using the agar well diffusion method, revealing varying inhibition zones depending on the bacterial species. The antifungal activity of the isolates was tested against Aspergillus niger, and although no inhibition zones were observed for the bacterial isolates, the standard antifungal agent, Clotrimazole, demonstrated significant inhibition. Antioxidant activity was measured through DPPH and ABTS assays, with fungal strains isolated from cauliflower and orange showing the highest antioxidant potential. Additionally, the use of chitosan on fresh fruits and vegetables resulted in a notable extension of shelf life. Specifically, tomatoes, brinjal, apples, and bananas exhibited significant improvements in shelf life, extending their typical storage duration. These findings suggest that bacterial strains isolated from fruits and vegetables possess diverse bioactivities, with potential applications in food preservation. Furthermore, chitosan proved to be a promising natural agent for enhancing the shelf life of fresh produce. This study provides valuable insights into the biotechnological potential of natural preservatives and microbial isolates in sustainable food preservation practices, highlighting the importance of exploring eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic preservatives. Future research should investigate the synergistic effects of these bacterial strains and chitosan, as well as their mechanisms of action to further optimize their applications in food security and preservation.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

1. Peng X, Dong C, Zhang N, Zheng P, Bai Y, Ji H, Yu J, Ban Z, Chen C, Hu Y (2024) Effect of ozone treatment on the decay and cell wall metabolism during the postharvest storage of cantaloupe. Scientia Horticulturae 331:113119. doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2024.113119

2. Srisamran J, Atwill ER, Chuanchuen R, Jeamsripong S (2022) Detection and analysis of indicator and pathogenic bacteria in conventional and organic fruits and vegetables sold in retail markets. Food Quality and Safety 6:fyac013. doi.org/10.1093/fqs/fyac013

3. Santos MI, Grácio M, Silva MC, Pedroso L, Lima A (2023) One health perspectives on food safety in minimally processed vegetables and fruits: From farm to fork. Microorganisms 11(12):2990. doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11122990

4. Taye T, Saikia B, Panging K (2023) Biocontrol agents against postharvest decay in fruits and vegetables: A review. International Journal of Plant & Soil Science 35(10):145-156. doi.org/10.9734/ijpss/2023/v35i1016011

5. Singh M, Pandey KD, Rathore AC, Sharma SP, Kumar R (2022) Bacterial antagonists: Effective tools for the management of postharvest diseases in fruits, vegetables, and food grains. In: Microbial Biocontrol: Food Security and Post Harvest Management: Volume 2 (pp. 295-309). Cham: Springer International Publishing. doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-73557-4_12

6. Ogwu MC, Ogunsola OA (2024) Physicochemical Methods of Food Preservation to Ensure Food Safety and Quality. In: Food Safety and Quality in the Global South (pp. 263-298). Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore. doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-28368-1_12

7. Chowdhury NN, Islam MN, Jafrin R, Rauf A, Khalil AA, Emran TB, Aljohani AS, Alhumaydhi FA, Lorenzo JM, Shariati MA, Simal-Gandara J (2023) Natural plant products as effective alternatives to synthetic chemicals for postharvest fruit storage management. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition 63(30):10332-10350. doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2023.2173641

8. Teshome E, Forsido SF, Rupasinghe HV, Olika Keyata E (2022) Potentials of natural preservatives to enhance food safety and shelf life: A review. The Scientific World Journal 2022(1):9901018. doi.org/10.1155/2022/9901018

9. Yu D, Yu Z, Zhao W, Regenstein JM, Xia W (2022) Advances in the application of chitosan as a sustainable bioactive material in food preservation. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition 62(14):3782-3797. doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2021.1883702

10. Muñoz-Tebar N, Pérez-Álvarez JA, Fernández-López J, Viuda-Martos M (2023) Chitosan edible films and coatings with added bioactive compounds: Antibacterial and antioxidant properties and their application to food products: A review. Polymers 15(2):396. doi.org/10.3390/polym15020396

11. Sayyari M, Esna‐Ashari M, Tarighi TH (2022) Impacts of salicylic acid, chitosan, and salicyloyl chitosan on quality preservation and microbial load reduction in strawberry fruits during cold storage. Journal of Food Processing and Preservation 46(7):e16710. doi.org/10.1111/jfpp.16710

12. Adiletta G, Di Matteo M, Petriccione M (2021) Multifunctional role of chitosan edible coatings on antioxidant systems in fruit crops: A review. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 22(5):2633. doi.org/10.3390/ijms22052633

13. Salgado-Cruz MDLP, Salgado-Cruz J, García-Hernández AB, Calderón-Domínguez G, Gómez-Viquez H, Oliver-Espinoza R, Fernández-Martínez MC, Yáñez-Fernández J (2021) Chitosan as a coating for biocontrol in postharvest products: A bibliometric review. Membranes 11(6):421. doi.org/10.3390/membranes11060421

14. Ungureanu C, Tihan G, Zgârian R, Pandelea G (2023) Bio-coatings for preservation of fresh fruits and vegetables. Coatings 13(8):1420. doi.org/10.3390/coatings13081420

15. Khubiev OM, Egorov AR, Kirichuk AA, Khrustalev VN, Tskhovrebov AG, Kritchenkov AS (2023) Chitosan-based antibacterial films for biomedical and food applications. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 24(13):10738. doi.org/10.3390/ijms241310738

16. Gradinaru LM, Barbalata-Mandru M, Enache AA, Rimbu CM, Badea GI, Aflori M (2023) Chitosan membranes containing plant extracts: Preparation, characterization, and antimicrobial properties. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 24(10):8673. doi.org/10.3390/ijms24108673

17. Soppelsa S, Van Hemelrijck W, Bylemans D, Andreotti C (2023) Essential oils and chitosan applications to protect apples against postharvest diseases and to extend shelf life. Agronomy 13(3):822. doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13030822

18. Romanescu M, Oprean C, Lombrea A, Badescu B, Teodor A, Constantin GD, Andor M, Folescu R, Muntean D, Danciu C, Dalleur O (2023) Current state of knowledge regarding WHO high priority pathogens—Resistance mechanisms and proposed solutions through candidates such as essential oils: A systematic review. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 24(11):9727. doi.org/10.3390/ijms24119727

19. Liu X, Yao H, Zhao X, Ge C (2023) Biofilm formation and control of foodborne pathogenic bacteria. Molecules 28(6):2432. doi.org/10.3390/molecules28062432

20. Elafify M, Liao X, Feng J, Ahn J, Ding T (2024) Biofilm formation in food industries: Challenges and control strategies for food safety. Food Research International 114650. doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2024.114650

21. Pellis A, Guebitz GM, Nyanhongo GS (2022) Chitosan: Sources, processing and modification techniques. Gels 8(7):393. doi.org/10.3390/gels8070393

22. Vieira H, Lestre GM, Solstad RG, Cabral AE, Botelho A, Helbig C, Coppola D, De Pascale D, Robbens J, Raes K, Lian K (2023) Current and expected trends for the marine chitin/chitosan and collagen value chains. Marine Drugs 21(12):605. doi.org/10.3390/md21120605

23. Heras M, Huang CC, Chang CW, Lu KH (2024) Trends in chitosan-based films and coatings: A systematic review of the incorporated biopreservatives, biological properties, and nanotechnology applications in meat preservation. Food Packaging and Shelf Life 42:101259. doi.org/10.1016/j.fpsl.2024.101259

24. Suchwalko A, Buzalewicz I, Wieliczko A, Podbielska H (2013) Bacteria species identification by the statistical analysis of bacterial colonies Fresnel patterns. Optics Express 21(9):11322-11337. doi.org/10.1364/OE.21.011322

25. Baliyan S, Mukherjee R, Priyadarshini A, Vibhuti A, Gupta A, Pandey RP, Chang CM (2022) Determination of antioxidants by DPPH radical scavenging activity and quantitative phytochemical analysis of Ficus religiosa. Molecules 27(4):1326. doi.org/10.3390/molecules27041326

26. Kamarudin AA, Sayuti NH, Saad N, Ab Razak NA, Esa NM (2022) Induction of apoptosis by Eleutherine bulbosa (Mill.) Urb. bulb extracted under optimised extraction condition on human retinoblastoma cancer cells (WERI-Rb-1). Journal of Ethnopharmacology 284:114770. doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2022.114770

27. Bułakowska A, Sławiński J, Hałasa R, Hering A, Gucwa M, Ochocka JR, Stefanowicz-Hajduk J (2023) An in vitro antimicrobial, anticancer and antioxidant activity of N–[(2–Arylmethylthio) phenylsulfonyl] cinnamamide derivatives. Molecules 28(7):3087. doi.org/10.3390/molecules28073087

28. Odongo EA, Mutai PC, Amugune BK, Mungai NN, Akinyi MO, Kimondo J (2023) Evaluation of the antibacterial activity of selected Kenyan medicinal plant extract combinations against clinically important bacteria. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies 23(1):100. doi.org/10.1186/s12906-023-02172-w

29. Baiome BA, Ye X, Yuan Z, Gaafar YZ, Melak S, Cao H (2022) Identification of volatile organic compounds produced by Xenorhabdus indica strain AB and investigation of their antifungal activities. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 88(13):e00155-22. doi.org/10.1128/aem.00155-22

30. Sirichan T, Kijpatanasilp I, Asadatorn N, Assatarakul K (2022) Optimization of ultrasound extraction of functional compound from makiang seed by response surface methodology and antimicrobial activity of optimized extract with its application in orange juice. Ultrasonics Sonochemistry 83:105916. doi.org/10.1016/j.ultsonch.2022.105916

31. Cao C, Zhao W, Lü Z, Mo Y, Hu W, Sun S, Cheng H, Ma J, Xiong S, Jin X, Yang H (2023) Microbiological analysis and characterization of Salmonella and ciprofloxacin-resistant Escherichia coli isolates recovered from retail fresh vegetables in Shaanxi Province, China. International Journal of Food Microbiology 387:110053. doi.org/10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2023.110053

32. Vassallo A, Amoriello R, Guri P, Casbarra L, Ramazzotti M, Zaccaroni M, Ballerini C, Cavalieri D, Marvasi M (2023) Adaptation of commensal Escherichia coli in tomato fruits: motility, stress, virulence. Biology 12(4):633. doi.org/10.3390/biology12040633

33. Sora VM, Meroni G, Martino PA, Soggiu A, Bonizzi L, Zecconi A (2021) Extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli: Virulence factors and antibiotic resistance. Pathogens 10(11):1355. doi.org/10.3390/pathogens10111355

34. Mkangara M (2023) Prevention and control of human Salmonella enterica infections: An implication in food safety. International Journal of Food Science 2023(1):8899596. doi.org/10.1155/2023/8899596

35. Gomes NG, Madureira-Carvalho Á, Dias-da-Silva D, Valentão P, Andrade PB (2021) Biosynthetic versatility of marine-derived fungi on the delivery of novel antibacterial agents against priority pathogens. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy 140:111756. doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111756

36. Radouane N, Adadi H, Ezrari S, Kenfaoui J, Belabess Z, Mokrini F, Barka EA, Lahlali R (2023) Exploring the bioprotective potential of halophilic bacteria against major postharvest fungal pathogens of citrus fruit Penicillium digitatum and Penicillium italicum. Horticulturae 9(8):922. doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9080922

37. Jafarzadeh S, Hadidi M, Forough M, Nafchi AM, Mousavi Khaneghah A (2023) The control of fungi and mycotoxins by food active packaging: A review. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition 63(23):6393-6411. doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2023.2244007

38. de Azevedo MIG, Souza PFN, Monteiro Júnior JE, Grangeiro TB (2024) Chitosan and chitooligosaccharides: antifungal potential and structural insights. Chemistry & Biodiversity 21(6):e202400044. doi.org/10.1002/cbdv.202400044

39. Román-Doval R, Torres-Arellanes SP, Tenorio-Barajas AY, Gómez-Sánchez A, Valencia-Lazcano AA (2023) Chitosan: Properties and its application in agriculture in context of molecular weight. Polymers 15(13):2867. doi.org/10.3390/polym15132867

40. Moradinezhad F, Ranjbar A (2023) Advances in postharvest diseases management of fruits and vegetables: A review. Horticulturae 9(10):1099. doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9101099

41. Petcu CD, Tăpăloagă D, Mihai OD, Gheorghe-Irimia RA, Negoiță C, Georgescu IM, Tăpăloagă PR, Borda C, Ghimpețeanu OM (2023) Harnessing natural antioxidants for enhancing food shelf life: Exploring sources and applications in the food industry. Foods 12(17):3176. doi.org/10.3390/foods12173176

42. Khalil D, El-Zayat SA, El-Sayed MA (2020) Phytochemical screening and antioxidant potential of endophytic fungi isolated from Hibiscus sabdariffa. Journal of Applied Biotechnology Reports 7(2):116-124. doi.org/10.30491/jabr.2020.114722

43. Sharma C, Pathak P, Yadav SP, Gautam S (2024) Potential of emerging “all-natural” edible coatings to prevent post-harvest losses of vegetables and fruits for sustainable agriculture. Progress in Organic Coatings 193:108537. doi.org/10.1016/j.porgcoat.2024.108537

44. Ungureanu C, Tihan G, Zgârian R, Pandelea G (2023) Bio-coatings for preservation of fresh fruits and vegetables. Coatings 13(8):1420. doi.org/10.3390/coatings13081420

45. Priyadarshi R, El-Araby A, Rhim JW (2024) Chitosan-based sustainable packaging and coating technologies for strawberry preservation: A review. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 134859. doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.134859

46. Soppelsa S, Van Hemelrijck W, Bylemans D, Andreotti C (2023) Essential oils and chitosan applications to protect apples against postharvest diseases and to extend shelf life. Agronomy 13(3):822. doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13030822

47. Liao W, Li Z, Zhou W, Liu J, Zhang D, Zhang X (2023) Biopreservation potential of chitosan and its derivatives: Current trends and perspectives in agriculture. Molecules 28(5):1941. doi.org/10.3390/molecules28051941

Downloads

Published

2025-06-30

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 6 (2025): Indus Journal of Bioscience Research

Section

Original Article

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Indus Journal of Bioscience Research

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Komal, Ejaz, S., Sultan, A., Khan, W., Begum, S. S., Rasheed, S., Qadir, Z., Gul, F., Ali, M., Maqbool, S., Tauqeer ul Haq, M., Zakir Ullah, & Gul, S. (2025). Inhibition Effect of Chitosan Against Bacteria and Fungi Isolated from Rotten Fruits and Vegetables. Indus Journal of Bioscience Research, 3(6), 1100-1109. https://doi.org/10.70749/ijbr.v3i6.2094