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Sadeghipour S, Akhavan H, Shaker ardekani A, Hosseini H. Effect of polyethylene packaging containing zinc oxide nanoparticles on the shelf life of Mazafati date. FSCT 2019; 16 (87) :141-152
URL: http://fsct.modares.ac.ir/article-7-30065-en.html

Date fruit (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is a rich source of sugar, fiber, some vitamins, minerals and antioxidant phenolic compounds. The physico-chemical, biochemical and microbial changes occurring in this fruit reduce its quality properties during storage time. In the present study, the effects of polyethylene film containing 1 and 2% zinc oxide nanoparticles as nanocomposite packaging and film without nanoparticles as a control were evaluated in order to maintain some quality characteristics of Mazafati date fruit in two storage temperatures of 4 and 25 °C for 120 days. The results of analysis of variance showed that the effects of nanocomposite film, temperature and storage time on the studied parameters of Mazafati date were significant (p <0.05). The least changes in quality parameters of weight loss, pH, titratable acidity, total soluble solids, total phenolic content and total and reducing sugar contents were observed in date samples packed in 2% nanocomposite film stored at 4 °C. The change in control sample stored at 25 °C was significantly higher than other samples. In addition, the use of nanocomposite packaging reduced the microbial growth rate (total aerobic mesophilic bacteria, and mold and yeast) compared to the control sample. With increasing storage temperature from 4 to 25 °C, an increasing trend was observed in microbial growth and changes in the quality parameters of all samples, which indicated a decrease in the quality characteristics of the date fruit. Considering the studied parameters, nanocomposite packaging containing 2% zinc oxide had better performance than nanocomposite packaging containing 1% zinc oxide. In general, the use of nanocomposite film containing 2% zinc oxide nanoparticles is suggested to maintain the quality characteristics of Mazatifi dates at a temperature of 4 °C.