Bionanocomposite films of agar incorporated with ZnO nanoparticles as an active packaging material for shelf life extension of green grape

Abstract

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) were synthesized by green protocol using Mimusops elengi fruit extract as a novel natural resource. The synthesized particles were polyhedral (mostly hexagonal) in shape between 14 - 48 nm with an average size of 24.75 ± 0.78 nm. Nano zinc oxide (ZnO) at concentrations of 2% (w/w) and 4% (w/w), were incorporated into agar matrix. Solution casting method was used to fabricate the bionanocomposite films with ZnONPs in agar. Surface morphology, particle size, crystallinity, thermal stability and functional groups were determined using SEM, TEM, XRD, TGA and FTIR, respectively. Loading of ZnONPs in composite films improved thermal stability, elongation and film thickness, whereas tensile strength and transparency decreased. The films were used for packaging of green grapes, and appearance of the fruit was observed during ambient storage. Grapes packaged in composite films showed fresh appearance up to 14 and 21 days in ambient conditions for 2% (w/w) and 4% (w/w) ZnONPs in films, respectively. The results showed the potential of the fabricated agar-ZnO nanocomposite film as a promising packaging material to enhance postharvest shelf-life of fresh fruits like green grapes.

ZnO Nanostructures in Active Antibacterial Food Packaging: Preparation Methods, Antimicrobial Mechanisms, Safety Issues, Future Prospects, and Challenges

“…Green grape 2019 [96] Semolina/ZnO/Kaolin Two-dimensionalrod type ZnO (50-100 nm in diameter and 0.5-2 μm in length 1, 3, and 5…”

“…Therefore, the agar-ZnO nanocomposite films enhanced the postharvest life of fresh fruits like green grapes. [96] Jafarzadeh et al (2018) investigated the application of antimicrobial active packaging film containing semolina flour, ZnO (rod type, 50-100 nm in diameter and 0.5-2 μm in length) and nano kaolin for mozzarella cheese storage. The semolina-based nanocomposite containing different ratios of ZnO NPs and kaolin was prepared using solution casting method.…”

Prospect of Polysaccharide-Based Materials as Advanced Food Packaging

“…Finally, it could be noticed some recent works using: (i) agar and agar-gelatin-based edible film incorporating green tea extract for antioxidant and antimicrobial activities [271], (ii) agar-ZnO nanocomposite films to increase the shelf life of green grape [272], (iii) agar-stevia rebaudiana extract edible films [273] and (iv) agar-silver nanocomposites for food packaging able to increase the shelf life of fresh chicken stored at 4 • C [274].…”

Biodegradable Hybrid Nanocomposite of Chitosan/Gelatin and Green Synthesized Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles for Food Packaging

“…1 and the filtrate was stored in a glass container at ambient conditions until further use. For the green synthesis of ZnONPs, we adopted a previously used method with minor modifications [14]. In•a typical synthesis protocol, 5 mL of aqueous fruit extract was taken in a glass container and diluted to a final volume of 25 mL using ddH 2 O.…”

“…Metal and metal oxide nanoparticles commonly used in food packaging applications include silver (Ag), zinc oxide (ZnO), titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ), and aluminum oxide (Al 2 O 3 ) nanoparticles, as they provide food packaging with improved tensile strength, gas and UV barrier properties, ethylene-scavenging, and antimicrobial activities [11][12][13]. ZnO is one of the most suitable nano-materials for food application as they are GRAS material, and possess antimicrobial properties [14,15]. ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) were chemically obtained by precipitation by reducing zinc acetate in aqueous or organic media often stabilized using surfactants like cetrimonium bromide (CTAB) [16].…”