食品加工および技術ジャーナル

概要

A New Example of Nanotechnology Applied to Minimally Processed Fruit: The Case of Fresh-Cut Melon

Alessandra Danza, Amalia Conte, Marcella Mastromatteo and Matteo Alessandro Del Nobile

The effects of silver nanoparticles (Ag-MMT) incorporated into an alginate-based coating applied to fresh-cut melon (Cucumismelo L.) were assessed on the product shelf life. Different concentrations of Ag-MMT nanoparticles were tested in coated melon that was packaged in an oriented polypropylene-based bag and stored at 5°C. Results showed that the active coating was effective from the microbiological and the sensory point of view, if compared to the uncoated fruit that rapidly lost the characteristics responsible for fruit acceptance. A significant shelf life prolongation was recorded from less more than 3 days of the control samples to 11 days of coated fruit, thus promoting further investigation on Ag- MMT coating as valid preservation strategy.