Nano‐preservation: An emerging postharvest technology for quality maintenance and shelf life extension of fresh fruit and vegetable

Abstract

Abstract Postharvest handling is an important approach to reduce loss and ensure the global supply of fresh fruits and vegetables (FVs). Recently, nanomaterials are increasingly recognized for their great potentials in extending shelf life and maintaining the quality of postharvest FVs owing to their unique properties and outstanding functions with extremely small sizes. This study reviews critically applications of nanotechnology in shelf life extension and quality maintenance of postharvest FVs via nano‐packaging, nano‐coatings, and micro/nano‐bubbles. The advantages of these nanotechnologies to effectively compensate for the shortcomings of the traditional methods are highlighted alongside future research directions at a large low‐cost scale. Generally, nano‐packaging, nano‐coatings, and micro/nano‐bubbles have the functions to modify gas or solvent permeability, inhibit pathogens infection, enhance antimicrobial capacity, and regulate the physiological activity of postharvest FVs. With the development of nanotechnology and quality control measures, it can be expected that green nano‐preservation technology will be an important and novel alternative for the storage and transportation of postharvest FVs.

Keywords

• nano‐packaging
• nano‐coating
• micro/nano‐bubbles
• postharvest
• fruits and vegetables
• green nanotechnology