Enhancing post-harvest quality of tomato fruits with chitosan oligosaccharide-zinc oxide nanocomposites: A study on biocompatibility, quality improvement, and carotenoid enhancement

Food Chem. 2024 Oct 1:454:139685. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.139685. Epub 2024 May 20.

Abstract

In this study, a new composite with combination of chitosan oligosaccharide (COS) and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs), termed Chitosan Oligosaccharide-Zinc Oxide Nanocomposites (COS-ZnO NC), was designed to enhance the quality of tomato fruits during postharvest storage. SEM analysis showed a uniform distribution of COS-ZnO NC films on tomato surfaces, indicating high biocompatibility, while the FTIR spectrum confirmed the interaction of COS and ZnO NPs via hydrogen bonds. The COS-ZnO NC exerts positive effects on post-harvest quality of tomato fruits, including significantly reduced water loss, fewer skin wrinkles, increased sugar-acid ratio, and enhanced vitamin C and carotenoids accumulation. Furthermore, COS-ZnO NC induces transcription of carotenoid biosynthesis genes and promotes carotenoids storage in the chromoplast. These results suggest that the COS-ZnO NC film can significantly improve the quality traits of tomato fruits, and therefore is potential in post-harvest storage of tomato fruits.

Keywords: Carotenoids; Chitosan oligosaccharide‑zinc oxide nanocomposites (COS-ZnO NC); Post-harvest handling; Tomato fruit quality.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Carotenoids* / analysis
  • Carotenoids* / chemistry
  • Chitosan* / chemistry
  • Food Preservation / methods
  • Food Storage
  • Fruit* / chemistry
  • Fruit* / growth & development
  • Fruit* / metabolism
  • Nanocomposites* / chemistry
  • Oligosaccharides* / analysis
  • Oligosaccharides* / chemistry
  • Solanum lycopersicum* / chemistry
  • Solanum lycopersicum* / growth & development
  • Solanum lycopersicum* / metabolism
  • Zinc Oxide* / chemistry

Substances

  • Chitosan
  • Zinc Oxide
  • Carotenoids
  • Oligosaccharides