A review on TiO2-based photocatalytic systems applied in fruit postharvest: Set-ups and perspectives

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a photocatalytic material used to degrade ethylene, and it has been studied as an alternative postharvest technology. Although several studies have indicated the effective action of TiO2 photocatalysis for delaying the fruit ripening, photocatalytic systems need to be well-designed for this application. Fruit is susceptible to environmental conditions like temperature, relative humidity, atmosphere composition and exposure to UV-light. This fragility associated with its variable ethylene production rate over its maturation stage limits the photocatalysis parameters optimization. Thus, this review aims to detail the reaction mechanisms, set-up, advantages, and limitations of TiO2 photocatalytic systems based on polymers-TiO2 nanocomposites and reactors containing TiO2 immobilized into inorganic supports designed for fruit applications. It is expected that this review can elucidate the fundamental aspects that should be considered for the use of these systems.

Automated summary

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) photocatalysis is studied as an alternative technology for delaying fruit ripening, but the systems need to be well-designed. Environmental conditions and ethylene production rate of fruits limit the optimization of photocatalysis parameters.