Preparation of PAN@TiO2 Nanofibers for Fruit Packaging Materials with Efficient Photocatalytic Degradation of Ethylene

Ethylene causes faster deterioration of perishable crops during postharvest transportation and storage. The present study aimed to develop TiO2-coated nanofibers with efficient photocatalytic activities to enhance the degradation of fruit-emitted ethylene. The consecutive electrospinning of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and TiO2deposition was successfully performed to produce PAN@TiO2nanofibers. The scanning electron microscopy results indicate the uniform distribution of TiO2nanoparticles on the surface of the PAN nanofiber. The PAN@TiO2composite nanofibers exhibited enhanced photocatalytic activity for ethylene degradation under low-intensity UV light irradiation. Furthermore, a tomato fruit-ripening test confirmed the effectiveness of the PAN@TiO2nanofibers. The PAN@TiO2nanofibers exhibited effective ethylene degradation and slowed the color shift and softening of the tomatoes during storage. The results suggest great potential for use of the PAN@TiO2composite nanofibers as ethylene scavenging packaging material for fresh fruits and vegetables.