Sustainable Utilization of Potato Industry Waste for Antifungal Biopolymer Production by Lactobacillus helveticus and Its Application on Pomegranates (Punica granatum L.)

The present study reports the characterization of an extracellular polymer produced by a strain Lactobacillus helveticus in potato waste medium and subsequent application biopolymer for protecting farm-bruised pomegranates against fungal infection following harvest. Chemical, thermogravimetric analysis, FTIR scanning electron micrographs purified revealed it to be polysaccharide with good thermal stability compact structure. Purified exhibited strong antifungal properties pathogen Penicillium implicatum. In tissues pomegranates, subjected challenge, pectinase, cellulase xylanase activity indicative infectivity was not observed upon storage 14 days at 28 °C. Besides visual discoloration characteristic soft rot growth tissue extracts could detected on PDA plates. Postharvest parameters, physiological loss weight, TA, TSS, TSS/TA ratio, ascorbic acids, total sugars sensory attributes dipped bruised challenged P. implicatum, showed no significant (p > 0.05) change storage. implicatum fruits which lacked dipping treatment spoiled 48 h. Farm-bruised offered complete protection ambient temperature (28 °C). Overall, results this suggest sustainable use processing wastes reutilization 5–16% damaged economically beneficial farmers. Besides, process will have importance reducing recycling industry innovative postharvest applications other horticultural produces.