Research Article Open Access

Influence of (Carboxy Methylcellulose/Poly (Lactic Acid))/Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Based Composite Coating on Rhizopus Rot of Tomatoes during Storage

Abstract

Nanocomposite films were prepared from graft copolymerization of (carboxymethylcellulose/polylactic acid) using gamma irradiation from ⁶⁰Co as the main source followed by mixing of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) at different concentration. Nanocomposite films of (carboxymethylcellulose/polylactic acid)/(ZnO-NPs) were characterized by different techniques such as FTIR, SEM, XRD, TEM, contact angle, Water Vapor Transmission Rate (WVRT) and mechanical properties. Novelty of present research is using of ZnO-NPs to reduce systematic resistance against tomato fruit rot caused by Rhizopus stolonifer. Results showed that the ZnO-NPs at 150 ppm in vitro inhibiting the growth of Rhizopus stolonifer. In in-vivo, equivalent concentration of ZnO-NPs reduces the severity of infection for three weeks under low temperature storage. Through the results displayed that the lowest firmness was for treated with ZnO-NPs, followed by injected samples with Rhizopus stolonifer. Further, the similar results were obtained for Total Soluble Solids (TSS) and pH measurements. Therefore, it is deduced that nanocmposite films could be used in coating tomato fruits in a pilot scale.

Salem EA, Ahmed Awadallah F*, Maysara E. Aboulfotouh, Hussein E Ali

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