Nanocomposite base on carboxymethylcellulose hydrogel: Simultaneous absorbent of ethylene and humidity to increase the shelf life of banana fruit.

The main purpose of this study was to increase shelf life of banana using active hydrogel. For this purpose, carboxymethylcellulose/nanofiber cellulose/potassium permanganate (CMC/NFC/KMnO) hydrogel film was prepared. The morphology and physicochemical properties of CMC hydrogels was investigated. The prepared films were used as humidity/ethylene absorbent in banana packaging for 30 days at 0 and 25 °C. The physical, mechanical and sensory properties of bananas were studied during storage. SEM images confirmed the presence of nanofibers in the hydrogel structure. NFC and KMnO increased the tensile strength of the film and decreased its elongation. On the 15th day of storage, bananas packaged with optimal active hydrogel (CMC/NFC/KMnO) at 25 °C had a flavor of 3 and a general acceptance of 3.5, while control bananas had a flavor of 0.5 and a general acceptance of less than 1. On the 30th day of storage, bananas packaged with optimal active hydrogel at 25 °C had a toughness of 4 (N·s) and a firmness of 20 (N), while control bananas had a toughness of about 1 (N·s) and a firmness of about 8 (N). On the 30th day of storage, the humidity inside the package of bananas packed with the optimum active hydrogel at 25 °C was 59.5%, while the humidity in the control packages was 85%, indicating that the hydrogel was able to absorb the moisture inside the package. Totally it can be said that CMC/NFC/KmnO hydrogel can increase shelf life of a banana by simultaneously controlling ethylene and humidity in food packaging.