Extraction and characterisation of cuticular waxes from Physalis peruviana calyx

Waxes play an important role in maintaining fruit quality and shelf-life extension because they are naturally effective in blocking the migration of moisture. In this work, cuticular waxes from Physalis peruviana calyx (PPC) were extracted and characterised as potentially hydrophobic materials. Extraction was carried out using the Soxhlet technique with two non-polar solvents, hexane and petroleum ether, and one polar solvent, ethanol. The extraction yield, lipid characterisation, and hydrophobic potential of cuticular waxes from PPC were analysed and compared using thin-layer chromatography (TLC), attenuated total reflectance-infrared spectroscopy (ATR-IR), GC-MS chromatogram (FAMES), and wetting contact angle. Extraction using hexane was the most efficient method (yield of 9.61 +/- 0.37%) for obtaining cuticular waxes with better hydrophobic properties, characterised by a contact angle of theta(C) = 107.37 +/- 1.0 degrees and a hysteresis contact angle of 11 degrees due mainly to the presence of functional groups desirable and characteristic of vegetable waxes. Greater texture homogeneity visualised using optical microscopy and the presence of capric acid (70.97%) as a major component of low-molecular-weight fatty acids were observed in this extract. Due to their biodegradable, potentially antifungal, and hydrophobic properties, cuticular waxes from PPC have the potential to replace synthetic waxes in industrial applications.