Preserving Mango Quality: Assessing the Influence of Zinc Oxide Nanocomposite-corn Starch Coating Concentrations on Postharvest Attributes

Abstract

The rise in environmental awareness has led to the development of biopolymers derived from natural sources as a viable alternative to synthetic materials for packaging. Zinc oxide (ZnO) NPs-starch coatings offer an alternative to synthetic materials, but their effectiveness depends on factors like product specifications, environmental implications, and adherence to regulations. The mango industry faces challenges in mitigating and managing diseases that impact mango orchards worldwide. To improve coating properties, zinc oxide (ZnO) and starch are combined to protect mangoes during storage. A study coated mango fruit samples with different concentrations of ZnO solution, and the fruits were stored at ambient temperature for seven days. The ZnO coating significantly preserved mango fruits by delaying fruit senescence, minimising fungal growth, and maintaining sensory quality. Additionally, mangoes coated with 1.5 M ZnO showed reduced weight loss after seven days of storage at room temperature. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) was used to analyze the interaction between ZnO/corn starch coatings and microbes, revealing the physical damages caused by the coating on microbial cells. Thus, ZnO corn starch has improved hydrophobicity and excellent antimicrobial properties in preserving mango quality.