Abstract
Halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) are hollow tubular clay nanoparticles used as nanofillers to remove or minimize the production of ethylene gas. The presence of ethylene gas leads to reduced shelf life in fruits and vegetables by accelerating postharvest softening and aging. Alkaline solution-treated HNTs have increased ethylene adsorption capacity due to an increased number of OH groups on the HNTs external surface. This study reports on the thermal, morphological, and mechanical properties of alkaline HNTs (ALK-HNTs) loaded into a low-density polyethylene (LDPE) matrix. Our results indicate that, although the mechanical properties of the LDPE matrix films were not improved with loading ALK-HNTs, the oxygen barrier property were improved and ethylene gas adsorption increased by 220 %. Cherry tomatoes packaged in a 3% ALK-HNTs/LDPE nanocomposite film and stored at 8 °C for 21 days showed a reduction in loss of firmness and weight by 17.0 % and 36.7 %, respectively.
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