Abstract
Safe coating formulated from biopolymer can be an alternative for better packaging for fruits. Among biopolymers used for safe coating, polysaccharides attracted more attention due to its biocompatibility and edibility. However, polysaccharide-based materials have weaknesses such as low water barrier and mechanical properties which result in lower capability on preserving the coated fruits. Hence, the incorporation of nanoparticles (NPs) such as zinc oxide (ZnO) is expected to increase the ability of polysaccharide-based coating for the enhancement of fruit shelf life. In this review paper, the basic information and the latest updates on the incorporation of ZnO NPs into the polysaccharide-based safe coating for fruit are presented. Various research has investigated polysaccharide-ZnO nanocomposite safe coating to prolong the shelf life of fruits. The polysaccharides used include chitosan, alginate, carrageenan, cellulose, and pectin. Overall, polysaccharide-ZnO nanocomposites can improve the shelf life of fruits by reducing weight loss, maintaining firmness, reducing the ripening process, reducing respiration, reducing the oxidation process, and inhibiting microbial growth. Finally, the challenges and potential of ZnO NPs as an active agent in the safe coating application are also discussed.
Highlights
The main function of food packaging is to protect food products from physical, biological, and chemical impact
The author mentioned that the antimicrobial activities of the coating were the result of synergistic interaction between chitosan and zinc oxide (ZnO) NPs, and concluded that the nanocomposite coating can maintain the quality of the fresh-cut papaya through the reduction in microbial growth
The authors mentioned that this may happen because the formation of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) aggregation during production of the coating may influence the barrier ability of the coating, and there are many factors that cause mango softening that is not inhibited by the coating
Summary
Daru Seto Bagus Anugrah 1, * , Hugo Alexander 2 , Rianita Pramitasari 2 , Dwi Hudiyanti 3 and Christyowati Primi Sagita 4.
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