Application of Bionanocomposites on Horticultural Products to Increase the Shelf Life

Abstract

Post-harvest loss of horticultural products is mainly due to microbial contamination, over-ripening, losses during transit, press injuries and secondary infections due to moth/borer attacks. Traditional practices to reduce post-harvest losses include storing the products in paper and plastic boxes and cushioning them with paper. Key issues such as microbial contamination and over-ripening are not addressed in these measures. In recent years, bionanocomposites and polymers have increasingly been used as coating materials for post-harvest products to reduce microbial contamination, over-ripening and spoilage due to oxygen, carbon dioxide and water vapor exposure. Bionanocomposites are mixtures of biopolymers and nanoparticles (NPs), where the NPs increase the weak barrier and mechanical properties of the biopolymers. The advantages of using nanocoatings include better barrier performance, antimicrobial properties due to the presence of NPs such as silver, reduced material use and simpler film conversion. They are environment-friendly, unlike petroleum-based polymers. This chapter aims to analyse the recent trends in the use of bionanopolymers as coatings for horticultural products and their efficacy.