Bionanocomposite films constituted by chitosan and ZnO nanoparticles stabilized by tea polyphenols for mango preservation

Mangoes often undergo irreversible decay and deterioration due to physiological changes and pathogen infections after harvest, leading to significant economic losses. In this study, tea polyphenol (TP) was utilized as a green stabilizer to synthesize zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs), which were further incorporated with chitosan to form composite films. The structural and property changes of the composite films, as well as their application in mango preservation, were systematically investigated. The results demonstrated that ZnONPs with TP possessed a smaller particle size and zeta potential, resulting in better stability and dispersion. The incorporation of ZnONPs significantly improved the mechanical, barrier, and antimicrobial properties of the composite films. A synergistic antimicrobial effect against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides were observed at a composite film solution concentration of 10 mL/100 mL. Additionally, the composite films showed promising application potential in mango preservation, significantly mitigating nutritional loss and quality deterioration during storage. Investigations into zinc migration demonstrated that it did not migrate from the peel to the pulp during mango storage.