Natural Polyphenol Oxidase Inhibitors from Glochidion perakense: LC-MS/MS Identification, In Silico Binding Analysis and Chitosan Microencapsulation for Food Preservation Applications
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48048/tis.2026.11664Keywords:
Man pu (Glochidion perakense), Polyphenol oxidase, Microencapsulation, Molecular docking, Chitosan, Chitosan, Glochidion perakense (Man pu), Microencapsulation, Molecular docking, Polyphenol oxidaseAbstract
Plant-derived polyphenolic compounds offer natural alternatives for polyphenol oxidase (PPO) inhibition to prevent enzymatic browning in fresh-cut produce. However, their application is limited by poor stability and environmental sensitivity. This study screened nine Southeast Asian plant species for natural PPO inhibition and developed chitosan-based microencapsulation to enhance extract stability. Systematic evaluation revealed Glochidion perakense leaves exhibited exceptional antioxidant capacity (88.11% DPPH scavenging; IC50 = 3.04 ± 0.17 µg/mL) and superior PPO inhibitory activity (89.93% inhibition; IC50 = 278.00 ± 2.04 µg/mL), showing better enzyme inhibition than commercial kojic acid (IC50 = 311.58 ± 1.83 µg/mL). This represents the first comprehensive phytochemical characterization of G. perakense for food preservation applications. LC-MS/MS analysis identified 23 bioactive compounds, with molecular docking studies revealing (-)-amurensisin as the key inhibitor showing strongest PPO binding affinity (ΔG = –7.13 kcal/mol) compared to reference tropolone (ΔG = –5.20 kcal/mol). Chitosan microencapsulation at 1:1 chitosan-to-extract ratio (w/w) significantly improved extract stability, maintaining 4-fold higher phenolic content during 30-day storage compared to unencapsulated controls. Validation studies using fresh-cut potatoes demonstrated encapsulated extract achieved 2.5-fold superior PPO inhibition versus free extract. These findings establish G. perakense as a promising natural preservative and demonstrate microencapsulation as an effective delivery system for extending fresh-produce shelf life while addressing post-harvest losses in the food industry.
HIGHLIGHTS
- First comprehensive phytochemical characterization of Glochidion perakense identifying 23 bioactive compounds with superior polyphenol oxidase (PPO) inhibitory activity compared to commercial kojic acid.
- Molecular docking identified multiple potent PPO inhibitors including (-)-amurensisin (–7.13 kcal/mol), catechin (–6.36 kcal/mol), and bergenin (–5.84 kcal/mol), all surpassing reference tropolone (–5.20 kcal/mol) with high binding stability.
- Novel chitosan microencapsulation enhanced extract stability 4-fold and improved anti-PPO efficacy 2.5-fold in fresh-cut applications.
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