Abstract:Fruit and vegetable containers with microbe-free surfaces can be made by coating with titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) particles or nonmetal (C, N, B, F) doped-TiO 2 particles, using wear resistant polymers, such as zein, and paint, as the binders and to form a continuous binding phase. The doped-TiO 2 powders absorb visible light radiation, and thus possess a higher antibacterial effect than non-modified TiO 2 particles in environmental conditions. The study also presents a double-layer coating to use less TiO 2 particles in coating, while achieving higher antimicrobial activity. Containers with microbe-free surfaces can stop cross-contamination from infected workers or spoiled/decayed/contaminated fruits or vegetables, and thus are expected to be able to reduce the risk from microbiological contamination of fruits and vegetables during harvest in fields, and postharvest storage or transportation.