Fabrication of Bio-Nanocomposite Packaging Films with PVA, MMt Clay Nanoparticles, CNCs, and Essential Oils for the Postharvest Preservation of Sapota Fruits

Abstract

Sapota is an important climacteric fruit with limited shelf life. A special system must be employed to extend the shelf life of sapota fruits. In the present study, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and montmorillonite clay (MMt)-based bio-nanocomposite films (BNFs) were integrated at various concentrations (2%, 4%, 6%, and 8%) into cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), produced from garlic peels (GPs). The BNF loaded with 8% CNC has a better crystallinity index and mechanical properties than the other concentrations of CNC. Therefore, the 8% CNC-incorporated BNF (BNF-8) was selected for further packaging studies. The combined effect of BNF-8 with ajwain essential oil (AO) and oregano essential oil (OO) vapors and BNF-8 with carbendazim (commercial fungicide-CARB) were investigated. In this study, the BNF-based packagings are categorized into five types, viz: BNF+8% CNC (BNF-8), BNF-8+AO, BNF-8+OO, BNF-8+CARB and the non-packaged fruits (control). The shelf-life duration, antioxidant activity, firmness, decay index, and sensory quality were evaluated in order to identify the effectiveness of packaging treatment on sapota fruits. BNF-8+CARB, BNF-8+AO, and BNF-8+OO packaging extended the shelf life of sapota fruits to up to 12 days and maintained the overall physiochemical parameters and sensory qualities of the fruits. Therefore, the BNF-8+AO and BNF-8+OO packaging materials are appropriate alternatives to commercial fungicides for the preservation of sapota during postharvest storage.

PVA/essential oil‐based active food packaging films functionalised with halloysite nanotubes and cellulose nanocrystals as filler materials for the shelf‐life extension of papaya fruits

“…Numerous research investigations have addressed the extraction of CNCs from diverse agricultural wastes. These findings align with those of prior studies, such as the CNCs sourced from garlic peels (Poongavanam et al ., 2023) and palm trunks (Mazlita et al ., 2016) exhibited particle sizes within the same range.…”