Shelf life prolongation of cherry tomato using magnesium hydroxide reinforced bio-nanocomposite and conventional plastic films

This investigation elaborates the effect of storage conditions and packaging materials on the shelf life of cherry tomato stored under passive modified atmosphere packaging (PMAP) in heat-sealed pouches. The fruits were encased with 25 mu m thick continuous oriented pectin-based bionanocomposite (PBNC), polypropylene, and low density poly ethylene packages and tested at 30 +/- 2 degrees C relative humidity (RH = 61.2 +/- 3%) and 10 +/- 0.5 degrees C (RH = 90 +/- 2%) storage conditions, while the fruits kept without packaging were taken as control. Advancement of storage in PBNC packages indicated significant decrement (p < .05) in the O-2 concentration, firmness, and titratable acidity and significant increment (p < .05) in CO2 concentration, physiological loss in weight, total soluble solids, chroma, and total color difference. The lycopene concentration varied erratically as the senescence progressed. The type of packaging material used had no significant effect on the physiological, physico-chemical, and biochemical properties of cherry tomato. PMAP coupled with low temperature (10 degrees C) prolonged the shelf life of cherry tomatoes till 24 days of storage. Practical applications The degradation of environment by the use of synthetic polymer based packaging materials has become a burgeoning problem. The need of biodegradable packaging materials with good mechanical and barrier properties is vital for checking sea and land pollution. The pectin-based bionanocomposite film reinforced with magnesium hydroxide nanoparticles developed in this research will be helpful for the food packaging industry for sustainable packaging of fresh produce. Based on the experimental results, reinforcing of pectin film with magnesium hydroxide nanoparticles improved its physical, thermal, and barrier properties and helped in retention of bioactive compounds during storage of cherry tomato under modified atmosphere storage. These films competed well with low density polyethylene and polypropylene, which are largely used for packaging of fresh produce.