PREPARATION AND EVALUATION OF NANOCOMPOSITE STARCH FILMS CONTAINING ZNO FOR EXTENDED SHELF LIFE OF FRESH STRAWBERRY

Introduction:A novel Bio-nano-composite packaging was synthesized and its effect on preservation quality of strawberry fruits (Fragaria Camarosa ) was investigatedduring storage at 4 ◦C. Material and method:The nano-ZnO particles were homogenized by sonication process and incorporated into wheat starch solutions at different concentrations (1%, 3%, 5%, and 7% w/w dried starch). The packages were prepared from nanocompositefilms and filled by fresh strawberry, and then stored at 4 ◦C. the microbialstability were evaluated after 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 days of storage. Result and discussion:The ZnO- starch films exhibited an excellent antimicrobial activity during the storage of strawberries. The study suggests that NPs ZnO has thepotential to role as a filler in starch-based films to activate packaging materials in the pharmaceutical and food industries. These data indicated that the nano-packagingmight provide an attractive alternative to improve preservation quality of the strawberry fruits during extended storage.