Destroy bacteria with tomatoes!

In recent years, agro-industrial residues have been used to develop bioplastics, food supplements and other applications
.
In Europe, almost 10 million tons of tomato fruit were processed in 2020, producing 500,000 tons of tomato pomace (residues of peels, stems and seeds).

In a paper published in ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering USA, a team of scientists from ITQB NOVA and INRAE (France) showed that it is possible
to extract a sterilization mixture from tomato peels in a short-term and sustainable process.

The peel is the armor of the fruit, a barrier
against external damage, pathogens and water loss.
The stratum corneum is the outermost layer of the peel and is mainly composed of
the stratum corneum.
This polymer (molecular network) is very abundant in nature and provides antibacterial properties
to banana peels.
Because its cuticle is easy to remove, tomatoes are a key model
for cuticle research.

Portugal is the third largest tomato processor in Europe, and the tomato pomace produced is often used to feed animals
.
In this paper, a team of scientists led by PI Cristina Silva Pereira of ITQB NOVA focuses on further exploring the potential of
tomato pomace as an antimicrobial blend for extracting keratin from keratin through a quick, simple and sustainable method.

Depending on the processing and cultivation method, the composition of the pomegranate can vary greatly (the number of seeds, peels and stems varies).

The team studied the extraction process
of two tomato pomaces from two different countries.
They used a liquid extractant that causes small changes in keratin and washes away the rest of the ingredients
.
In addition, the extractant is biodegradable, biocompatible and recyclable
.

The researchers showed that the extract can be processed into a mixture
with antimicrobial activity against pathogenic bacteria.
Both mixtures are resistant to Staphylococcus staphylococcus and Escherichia bacillus.
However, there are some differences in the effectiveness of the fight against E.
coli, depending on the composition
of the dregs.

"Many studies have explored the potential of tomato peel as a source of keratin," says Rita Escórcio, who has been studying this process
during her PhD.
"However, they rely on a lengthy process
of multiple steps.
We have just provided a proof of concept that it is possible
to exfoliate with tomato pomace in a quick, easy and green way.
These extracts can then be processed into a mixture
with antimicrobial properties.
"In the future, these mixtures could be used for the antimicrobial properties of
biomaterials.

"This is an important contribution to the future of the recycling of fruit pomace," adds Cristina Silva Pereira, head of the Laboratory of Applied and Environmental Mycology, where Rita is carrying out her work
.
"Further research is needed to optimize the production of a wider range of bactericidal mixtures
from any exfoliating-rich source.
" In the future, our goal is to translate this process to an industrial scale and find ways
to make it more environmentally friendly.
”