What is it about?
Ethylene stimulates ripening and senescence by promoting chlorophyll loss, red pigment synthesis and softening of tomatoes, and diminishes their shelf-life. The aim of this work was to study the performance of a novel copper-zinc-based ethylene scavenger supported by ion exchange on a naturally occurring zeolite by analyzing its ethylene adsorption capacity and the influence of ethylene scavenging on quality attributes during postharvest life of tomatoes. The influence of copper-zinc modified zeolites on ethylene and carbon dioxide concentrations and postharvest quality of tomato was compared with that of the unmodified zeolite during storage at 20 °C. Interactions among ethylene molecules and zeolite surface were studied by diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy in operando mode. The percentage of ethylene removal after eight days of storage was 57 % and 37 % for the modified zeolite and pristine zeolite, respectively. The major ethylene increase appeared at 9.5 days for the modified zeolite treatment. Additionally, modified zeolite delayed carbon dioxide formation by six days. Modified zeolite stimulated the greatest delay of red color development. The use of unmodified zeolite results in a significantly higher increase of lycopene synthesis compared to tomatoes stored in the presence of modified zeolite. Zeolite modified with copper and zinc cations favors ethylene removal and delays tomato fruit ripening. However, the single use of unmodified zeolite should be reconsidered due to its ripening promoting effects in tomatoes at high moisture storage conditions, as water molecules block active sites for ethylene adsorption.
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Why is it important?
The aim of the present work was to develop a novel copper-zinc-based ethylene scavenger supported on naturally occurring zeolite, to study the surface interactions among adsorbed molecules and the active sites of the scavenger, and their implications on postharvest attributes during the shelf life of tomatoes.
Perspectives
Developping new postharvest technologies that can improve shelf-life of fruit may be useful to reduce waste production in the supply chain. An enormous amount of foodstuff is lost every year. Therefore improvements in storage techniques of fruit and vegetables is urgent for mankind.
Dr Johannes P.F. de Bruijn
Universidad de Concepcion
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Use of a Copper- and Zinc-Modified Natural Zeolite to Improve Ethylene Removal and Postharvest Quality of Tomato Fruit, Crystals, June 2020, MDPI AG,
DOI: 10.3390/cryst10060471.
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