Chitosan-Phenylalanine Nanoparticles (Cs-Phe Nps) Extend the Postharvest Life of Persimmon (Diospyros kaki) Fruits under Chilling Stress

Antifungal Activities of Biogenic Silver Nanoparticles Mediated by Marine Algae: In Vitro and In Vivo Insights of Coating Tomato Fruit to Protect against Penicillium italicum Blue Mold

In an attempt to reduce such decay induced by pathogenic causes, several studies investigated the effectiveness of nanoparticles (NPs) that play a vital role in saving food products, especially fruits. Current research delves into biogenic silver nanoparticles (using marine alga Turbinaria turbinata (Tt/Ag-NPs) and their characterization using FT-IR, TEM, EDS, and zeta potential. Some pathogenic fungi, which cause fruit spoilage, were isolated. We studied the impact of using Tt/Ag-NPs to protect against isolated fungi in vitro, and the influence of Tt/Ag-NPs as a coating of tomato fruit to protect against blue mold caused by Penicillium italicum (OR770486) over 17 days of storage time. Five treatments were examined: T1, healthy fruits were used as the positive control; T2, healthy fruits sprayed with Tt/Ag-NPs; T3, fruits infected with P. italicum followed by coating with Tt/Ag-NPs (pre-coating); T4, fruits coated with Tt/Ag-NPs followed by infection by P. italicum (post-coating); and T5, the negative control, fruits infected by P. italicum. The results displayed that Tt/Ag-NPs are crystalline, spherical in shape, with size ranges between 14.5 and 39.85 nm, and negative charges. Different concentrations of Tt/Ag-NPs possessed antifungal activities against Botrytis cinerea, Rhodotorula mucilaginosa, Penicillium expansum, Alternaria alternate, and Stemphylium vesicarium. After two days of tomatoes being infected with P. italicum, 55% of the fruits were spoilage. The tomato fruit coated with Tt/Ag-NPs delayed weight loss, increased titratable acidity (TA%), antioxidant%, and polyphenol contents, and decreased pH and total soluble solids (TSSs). There were no significant results between pre-coating and post-coating except in phenol contents increased in pre-coating. A particular focus is placed on the novel and promising approach of utilizing nanoparticles to combat foodborne pathogens and preserve commodities, with a spotlight on the application of nanoparticles in safeguarding tomatoes from decay.

Enhancing Postharvest Quality and Shelf Life of Strawberries through Advanced Coating Technologies: A Comprehensive Investigation of Chitosan and Glycine Betaine Nanoparticle Treatments

The application of natural polymer-based coatings presents a viable approach to prolong the longevity of fruits and tissue damage. This study investigates the impact of treatments involving glycine betaine (GB), chitosan (CTS), and chitosan-coated glycine betaine nanoparticles (CTS-GB NPs) on preserving the quality and reducing decay in strawberry fruits. The fruits were subjected to treatments with GB (1 mM), CTS (0.1%), CTS-GB NPs (0.1%), or distilled water at 20 °C for 5 min, followed by storage at 4 °C for 12 days. The results indicate that CTS and CTS-GB NPs treatments resulted in the highest tissue firmness, total anthocyanin content, and ascorbate peroxidase activity, while exhibiting the lowest decay percentage and weight loss, as well as reduced malondialdehyde levels at the end of storage. GB, CTS, and CTS-GB NPs treatments demonstrated elevated catalase activity and antioxidant capacity, coupled with lower electrolyte leakage and hydrogen peroxide levels. These treatments did not significantly differ from each other but were markedly different from the control. The results substantiate that CTS and CTS-GB NPs treatments effectively preserve strawberry quality and extend storage life by bolstering antioxidant capacity and mitigating free radical damage.

Nano-elicitation and hydroponics: a synergism to enhance plant productivity and secondary metabolism

MAIN CONCLUSION

This review has explored the importance of using a synergistic approach of nano-elicitation and hydroponics to improve plant growth and metabolite production. Furthermore, it emphasizes the significance of green nanotechnology and eco-friendly practices while utilizing this approach to promote the development of a sustainable agriculture system. Nano-elicitation stimulates metabolic processes in plants using nanoparticles (NPs) as elicitors. The stimulation of these biochemical processes can enhance plant yield and productivity, along with the production of secondary metabolites. Nanoparticles have garnered the attention of scientific community because of their unique characteristics, such as incredibly small size and large surface-to-volume ratio, which make them effective elicitors. Hydroponic systems, which optimize growing conditions to increase plant production, are typically used to study the effect of elicitors. By integrating these two approaches, the qualitative and quantitative output of plants can be increased while employing minimal resources. As the global demand for high-quality crops and bioactive compounds surges, embracing this synergistic approach alongside sustainable farming practices can pave the way for resilient agricultural systems, ensuring food security and fostering an eco-friendly environment.

Persimmon preservation using edible coating of chitosan enriched with ginger oil and visualization of internal structure changes using X-ray computed tomography

The incorporation of ginger oil (GO) influenced the physical, optical, and structural properties of the chitosan (CH) film including the decreases of moisture content (60.15 %), water solubility (35.37 %) and water vapor permeability (WVP) (32.79 %) and the increases of tensile strength (TS) (125 %), elongation at break (EAB) (2.74 %) and opacity (131.08 %). Antifungal capacity of the CH film was enhanced when GO was added to the film. The CH + GO film showed a less homogeneous surface that the presence of the oil droplets on the film surface. Moreover, the CH and CH + GO coatings reduced weight loss of persimmon by 14.87 %, and 21.13 %, respectively, compared to the control. Moisture content loss of the coated CH- and the coated CH + GO- persimmons was decreased by 1.94 % and 4.92 %, respectively, compared to that of the control persimmon. Furthermore, the CH and CH + GO coatings decreased in color changes, respiration rate, ethylene production, changes in pH and TSS, and remained firmness of persimmon during storage at 25 °C. In addition, X-ray CT images can be used to monitor internal changes and observe the tissue breakdown during storage period. The ΔGS value can be used as a predictor of persimmon internal qualities. Thus, the CH film containing GO can be applied as an active packaging material.

Next generation chemical priming: with a little help from our nanocarrier friends

Plants are exposed to multiple threats linked to climate change which can cause critical yield losses. Therefore, designing novel crop management tools is crucial. Chemical priming has recently emerged as an effective technology for improving tolerance to stress factors. Several compounds such as phytohormones, reactive species, and synthetic chimeras have been identified as promising priming agents. Following remarkable developments in nanotechnology, several unique nanocarriers (NCs) have been engineered that can act as smart delivery systems. These provide an eco-friendly, next-generation method for chemical priming, leading to increased efficiency and reduced overall chemical usage. We review novel engineered NCs (NENCs) as vehicles for chemical agents in advanced priming strategies, and address challenges and opportunities to be met towards achieving sustainable agriculture.

Impact of bacterial synthesized nanoparticles on quality attributes and postharvest disease control efficacy of apricot and loquat

Postharvest fungal attacks on fruits such as apricots and loquats are common. Diseased fruit samples were collected from Murree's local fruit markets. The disease-causing pathogens were identified utilizing molecular, microscopic, and morphological characteristics. Alternaria alternata and Aspergillus niger were identified as the pathogens responsible for brown rot in loquat and black rot in apricot. To combat these fruit diseases, iron oxide (Fe2 O3 ) nanoparticles were synthesized using Bacillus subtilis and were characterized using various techniques. X-ray diffraction examination validated the size of iron oxide nanoparticles. The presence of several capping agents in the synthesized nanoparticles was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared analysis. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the spherical morphology of nanoparticles, whereas energy-dispersive X-ray proved the presence of different elemental compositions. After completing antifungal activities in vitro and in vivo, it was discovered that a nanoparticle concentration of 1.0 mg/mL efficiently suppressed the growth of fungal mycelia. Fungi growth was effectively inhibited in fruit samples treated with 1.0 mg/mL nanoparticles. The results of successful in vitro and in vivo antifungal activities imply that iron oxide (Fe2 O3 ) nanoparticles play an important role in ensuring fruit quality against pathogenic attacks. Bacterial-mediated iron oxide can be widely used because it is less expensive and less harmful to the environment than chemically manufactured fertilizers.

Application of chitosan nanoparticles in quality and preservation of postharvest fruits and vegetables: A review

Chitosan is an interesting alternative material for packaging development due to its biodegradability. However, its poor mechanical properties and low permeability limit its actual applications. Chitosan nanoparticles (CHNPs) have emerged as a suitable solution to overcome these intrinsic limitations. In this review, all studies regarding the use of CHNPs to extend the shelf life and improve the quality of postharvest products are covered. The characteristics of CHNPs and their combinations with essential oils and metals, along with their effects on postharvest products, are compared and discussed throughout the manuscript. CHNPs enhanced postharvest antioxidant capacity, extended shelf life, increased nutritional quality, and promoted tolerance to chilling stress. Additionally, the CHNPs reduced the incidence of postharvest phytopathogens. In most instances, smaller CHNPs (<150 nm) conferred higher benefits than larger ones (>150 nm). This was likely a result of the greater plant tissue penetrability and surface area of the smaller CHNPs. The CHNPs were either applied after preparing an emulsion or incorporated into a film, with the latter often exhibiting greater antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. CHNPs were used to encapsulate essential oils, which could be released over time and may enhance the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of the CHNPs. Even though most applications were performed after harvest, preharvest application had longer lasting effects.

Postharvest chitosan-arginine nanoparticles application ameliorates chilling injury in plum fruit during cold storage by enhancing ROS scavenging system activity

BACKGROUND

Plum (Prunus domestica L.) has a short shelf-life period due to its high respiration rate and is sensitive to low storage temperatures, which can lead to the appearance of chilling injury symptoms. In this investigation, we applied new coating treatments based on chitosan (CTS) and arginine (Arg) to plum fruit (cv. 'Stanley').

RESULTS

Fruit were treated with distilled water (control), Arg at 0.25 and 0.5 mM, CTS at 1% (w/v) or Arg-coated CTS nanoparticles (CTS-Arg NPs) at 0.5 and 1% (w/v), and then stored at 1 °C for days. The application of CTS-Arg NPs at 0.5% attenuated chilling injury, which was accompanied by accumulation of proline, reduced levels of electrolyte leakage and malondialdehyde, as well as suppressed the activity of polyphenol oxidase. Plums coated with CTS-Arg NPs (0.5%) showed higher accumulation of phenols, flavonoids and anthocyanins, due to the higher activity of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, which in turn resulted in higher DPPH scavenging capacity. In addition, CTS-Arg NPs (0.5%) treatment delayed plum weight loss and retained fruit firmness and ascorbic acid content in comparison to control fruit. Furthermore, plums treated with CTS-Arg NPs exhibited lower H₂O₂ accumulation than control fruit due to higher activity of antioxidant enzymes, including CAT, POD, APX and SOD.

CONCLUSIONS

The present findings show that CTS-Arg NPs (0.5%) were the most effective treatment in delaying chilling injury and prolonging the shelf life of plum fruit.

Postharvest physiology and biochemistry of Valencia orange after coatings with chitosan nanoparticles as edible for green mold protection under room storage conditions

Because of their unique features, nanomaterials have been proposed and have gained acceptance in postharvest applications in fruit. Increasing the storage life and improving the quality of Valencia oranges was investigated using nano-chitosan. A chitosan nanoparticle was prepared by using high-energy ball milling. Chitosan nanoparticles were characterized by Dynamic light scattering, FTIR spectroscopy and Surface morphology by transmission electron microscopy. Fully mature Valencia oranges were harvested and then coated with one of these concentrations (0.2, 0.4, and 0.8% nano-chitosan) and control. The fruits were stored under room storage conditions for 75 days. The quality parameters (fruit weight losses, fruit decay percentage, fruit firmness, total acidity, total soluble solids percentage and T.S.S./acid ratio, ascorbic acid content) were taken in biweekly intervals after 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, and 75 days. Beside the in vitro testing of antifungal activity of chitosan nanoparticles. According to the findings of the two succeeding seasons, the nano-chitosan 0.8% treatment showed the best effects and had the lowest rate of fruit weight loss, fruit deterioration, and T.S.S./acid ratio in comparison to the other treatments in both seasons. Furthermore, the 0.8% nano-chitosan reveled the highest levels of fruit hardness and fruit pulp firmness. Fruit weight loss, fruit deterioration, TSS, and TSS/acid ratio, as well as other metrics, were steadily elevated prior to the storage time. The best results were obtained when Valencia oranges fruits were treated with 0.8% nano-chitosan for 75 days at room temperature.

Effects of Edible Coating Applications on the Storage of Persimmon (Diospyros kaki L.)

Bu çalışmada, Fuyu Trabzon hurması çeşidine ait meyvelere hasat sonrası Guar gam yüzey kaplama uygulamalarının (0, %1, %2 ve %3) meyve kalitesi ve muhafaza süresi üzerine etkileri araştırılmıştır. Uygulamalar sonrasında meyveler soğuk hava deposunda 0-1oC ve %85-90 oransal nemli ortamda 3 ay süre ile muhafaza altına alınmıştır. Muhafaza süresince Guar gam kaplamanın Trabzon hurması meyveleri üzerine su kaybı, solunum hızı, toplam suda çözünür kuru madde, titre edilebilir asitlik, meyve eti sertliği, askorbik asit, toplam fenolik bileşikler ve tat değerlendirmesine etkileri araştırılmıştır. Araştırma sonuçlarına göre, Guar gam uygulaması, kontrole kıyasla ağırlık kaybını ve solunum hızını azaltmıştır. Ancak, Guar gam uygulamaları içerisinde %2 ve %3'lük dozları daha etkili bulunmuştur. Bu dozlar meyve eti sertliğini, askorbik asit ve toplam fenolik bileşikleri daha iyi korumakla beraber tat değişimini de yavaşlatmıştır. Sonuç olarak, uygun dozda Guar gam ile yüzey kaplamanın Fuyu Trabzon hurması çeşidinde kaliteyi korumak ve depolama ömrünü uzatmak için kullanılabileceğini göstermektedir.

Attenuation of Chilling Injury and Improving Antioxidant Capacity of Persimmon Fruit by Arginine Application

Persimmon is a climacteric perishable fruit with a short storage life. In recent years, using natural compounds that are safe for human health and environment have obtained more attention in postharvest investigations. The current research was conducted to study efficacy of postharvest L-arginine treatment at 0, 0.3, and 0.6 mM in improving chilling tolerance and maintaining the nutritional quality of persimmon fruit during low-temperature storage. According to the results, the highest weight loss (4.3%), malondialdehyde (MDA (5.8 nmol g⁻¹ FW)), and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂ (22.33 nmol g⁻¹ FW)) was detected in control fruit. Fruit firmness was gradually decreased during storage, but it was slower in L-arginine-treated fruit. The highest tissue firmness (3.8 kg cm⁻²) was noted in fruit treated with 0.6 mM L-arginine. The chilling was gradually increased during storage. Fruits treated with L-arginine showed a lower chilling injury than the control fruit. Total soluble tannin compound and antioxidant enzymes activities in persimmons declined during cold storage. L-arginine treatment significantly maintained antioxidant enzymes activity, antioxidant capacity, and total soluble tannin compounds, while L-arginine had no significant impact on titratable acidity and total soluble solids. It seems that a reduction in oxidative damage and an increase in quality of persimmon during low-temperature storage manifested several defense mechanisms induced by exogenous application of L-arginine. These findings indicated that the application of L-arginine to maintain the quality and increase postharvest life of persimmon is very useful and can be applied during cold storage.

Innovative Approach for Controlling Black Rot of Persimmon Fruits by Means of Nanobiotechnology from Nanochitosan and Rosmarinic Acid-Mediated Selenium Nanoparticles

The protection of persimmon fruits (Diospyros kaki L.) from postharvest fungal infestation with Alternaria alternata (A. alternate; black rot) is a major agricultural and economic demand worldwide. Edible coatings (ECs) based on biopolymers and phytocompounds were proposed to maintain fruit quality, especially with nanomaterials’ applications. Chitosan nanoparticles (NCt), rosmarinic acid bio-mediated selenium nanoparticles (RA/SeNPs) and their composites were produced, characterized and evaluated as ECs for managing persimmon black rot. The constructed NCt, RA/SeNPs and NCt/RA/SeNPs composite had diminished particles’ size diameters. The ECs solution of 1% NCt and NCt/RA/SeNPs composite led to a significant reduction of A. alternata radial growth in vitro, with 77.4 and 97.2%, respectively. The most powerful ECs formula contained 10 mg/mL from NCt/RA/SeNPs composite, which significantly reduced fungal growth than imazalil fungicide. The coating of persimmon with nanoparticles-based ECs resulted in a significant reduction of black rot disease severity and incidence in artificially infected fruits; the treatment with 1% of NCt/RA/SeNPs could completely (100%) hinder disease incidence and severity in coated fruits, whereas imazalil reduced them by 88.6 and 73.4%, respectively. The firmness of fruits is greatly augmented after ECs treatments, particularly with formulated coatings with 1% NCt/RA/SeNPs composite, which maintain fruits firmness by 85.7%. The produced ECs in the current study, based on NCt/RA/SeNPs composite, are greatly recommended as innovatively constructed human-friendly matrix to suppress the postharvest destructive fungi (A. alternata) and maintain the shelf-life and quality of persimmon fruits.

Influence of Nano-Silica/Chitosan Film Coating on the Quality of ‘Tommy Atkins’ Mango

In this study, we assessed the coating of ‘Tommy Atkins’ mangoes with films containing chitosan and nano-silicon dioxide in terms of the effects on fruit parameters as an indicator of quality. After coating, the fruits were first stored at 13 ± 1 °C and 90–95% RH for 30 days, and then at 20 ± 2 °C and 70–75% RH for 5 days, which corresponds to the marketing period. The results showed that coating treatments significantly decreased the fruits’ weight loss and decay percentage compared to the uncoated control samples over the storage period. Additionally, all coated treatments delayed skin degreening, reduced endogenous ethylene production, suppressed respiration rate, and maintained the firmness, compared to untreated control fruit. Titratable acidity and vitamin C significantly decreased in all samples during storage, but this decrease was less pronounced in the coated fruits. Furthermore, coating can delay the increments in total soluble solids and total sugars while maintaining total phenolics, and high antioxidant content of fruits, thereby extending the effective length of the marketing period of treated fruits compared to the control. It was shown that the coating combination of 2% chitosan plus 1% nano-silicon dioxide was the most successful in maintaining the mango’s quality under cold storage and during marketing.

Improving the Berry Quality and Antioxidant Potential of Flame Seedless Grapes by Foliar Application of Chitosan-Phenylalanine Nanocomposites (CS-Phe NCs)

The production and sustainability of grape berries with high quality and health-promoting properties is a major goal. In this regard, nano-engineered materials are being used for improving the quality and marketability of berries. In this study, we investigated the potential role of chitosan–phenylalanine nanocomposites (CS–Phe NCs) in improving the quality of Flame Seedless (Vitis vinifera L.) grape berries, such as titratable acidity (TA), pH, total soluble solids (TSS), ascorbic acid, total phenolics, total flavonoids, anthocyanin, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity. In this context, grape berries collected in two growing seasons (2018–2019) were screened. Regarding the experimental design, the treatments included chitosan at a 0.5% concentration (CS 0.5%), phenylalanine at 5 mM and 10 mM concentrations (Phe 5 mM and Phe 10 mM), and chitosan–phenylalanine nanocomposites (CS–Phe NCs) at 5 mM and 10 mM concentrations. The lowest TA was recorded in grape berries treated with CS–Phe NCs with a 10 mM concentration. However, treatments enhanced with TSS, which reached the highest value with 10 mM of CS–Phe NCs, were reflected as the highest ratio of TSS/TA with 10 mM of CS–Phe NC treatment. Nanocomposites (NCs) also increased pH values in both study years compared to the control. Similarly, the ascorbic acid and total phenolic content increased in response to NP treatment, reaching the highest value with 5 mM and 10 mM of CS–Phe NCs in 2018 and 2019, respectively. The highest flavonoid content was observed with 5 mM of CS–Phe NCs in both study years. In addition, the anthocyanin content increased with 5 and 10 mM of CS–Phe NCs. PAL activity was found to be the highest with 5 mM of CS–Phe NCs in both study years. In addition, in accordance with the increase in PAL activity, increased total phenolics and anthocyanin, and higher DPPH radical scavenging activity of the grapes were recorded with the treatments compared to the control. As deduced from the findings, the coating substantially influenced the metabolic pathway, and the subsequent alterations induced by the treatments were notably appreciated due to there being no adverse impacts perceived.