Application of films with nanoparticles for strawberries conservation

• Grant number: 12/21669-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: June 01, 2013
• End date: December 31, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agricultural Engineering - Process Engineering of Agricultural Products
• Principal Investigator: Marcos David Ferreira
• Grantee: Fernanda da Cunha Puti
• Host Institution: Embrapa Instrumentação Agropecuária. Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária (EMBRAPA). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The concern with healthy eating habits has been increasing and as a consequence people has seeking to consume foods like fruits and vegetables, which are a source of vitamins, fibers and minerals. In this context, strawberry is known for being a tastefull and attractive fruit, besides being a source of C vitamin, although is very perishable. Polymeric films containing metal nanoparticles have been used as food packaging, with properties that help to keep the quality of fruits and vegetables. This research aims to evaluate postharvest quality of strawberries covered by films containg silver nanoparticles and conventional films (without addition of nanoparticles). For this purpose, low density polyethylene (LDPE) films with and without silver nanoparticles will be processed in benchtop extruder and later characterized. Therefore, strawberries will be harvested and placed in polypropylene (PP) tray coated internally and surrounded by films after the accommodation of strawberries. After sealing, the strawberries will be stored in a walk in cooler at 5 and 25 ° C for 12 days. Physicochemical and microbiological analyzes will be performed on every two days, in a total of 12 days, for evaluating the postharvest quality of the stored strawberries. By this proposed project it is expected to better conservation of strawberries with the application of polymer films containing silver nanoparticles, thus increasing your marketing potential with reduced post-harvest losses, bringing gains for the entire chain. For the producer, who will add value to your product, and for the consumer, who will receive a fruit with better quality. (AU)