Recent Advances in the Application of Nanotechnology to Reduce Fruit and Vegetable Losses During Post-Harvest

Abstract

Fresh fruits and vegetables are essential sources of nutrients and bioactive compounds with a beneficial effect on human health. However, these products are highly perishable and have a short post-harvest life with significant losses worldwide. New advanced technologies, such as nanotechnology, have been used to help reduce post-harvest losses of fruits and vegetables. Nanotechnology can be applied on (i) designing edible coating materials with improved properties extending produce shelf-life, (ii) on packaging with antimicrobial activity enhanced with physical barrier properties, and (iii) additionally with sensors capable of indicating ripening stage and internal quality of fruits and vegetables. The main objective of this article was to review recent advances in the application of nanotechnology for the development of technologies capable of contributing to reduce post-harvest losses of fresh fruits and vegetables.