Nano-ZnO/carboxymethyl cellulose-based active coating impact on ready-to-use pomegranate during cold storage.

Minimally processed pomegranate rapidly loses its overall quality because of high water loss and microbial contamination. Nano-ZnO in combination with carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) coating was used on pomegranate arils. Arils were dipped for 4min in distilled water (control), 0.1 or 0.2% (w/v) nano-ZnO suspension and then ZnO treated arils were coated with 0.5% (w/v) CMC and stored for 12days at 4°C. Coatings decreased total yeast+mold during 12days of storage while total mesophilic bacteria was decreased during 6days of storage. Coatings decreased weight loss and also the greatest juice percent was in coated arils. Soluble solids content decreased during storage with no significant difference between treatments. CMC+0.2% nano-ZnO suppressed total phenol changes. Total anthocyanin, vitamin C, and antioxidant capacity were higher in coated arils. These findings suggest that nano-ZnO+CMC coating has the potential to extend minimally processed pomegranate storage life.