Study reveals method that delays fruit ripening

The most recent Diagnostic Report on Hunger and Food Waste in Brazil reveals that more than 45 million tons of fruits, vegetables and tubers are wasted in the country every year because they are imperfect or overripe. Caused by ethylene, a gaseous hormone that stimulates the activity of enzymes that accelerate the ripening process, the ripening of fruits reduces the shelf life of these foods, especially fleshy fruits, such as papaya, which only lasts 2 to 3 days if kept refrigerated.

In order to avoid wasting fleshy fruits, which have high nutritional value and are sources of vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants, researchers from the National Institute of Science and Technology in Nanotechnology for Sustainable Agriculture (INCT NanoAgro), Joana Pieretti (Federal University of ABC - UFABC), Prof. Dr. Amedea Seabra (Federal University of ABC - UFABC) and Julia Veiga (Agronomic Institute - IAC of the São Paulo State University), supervised by Dr. Ilana Bron (IAC) and co-supervised by Prof. Dr. Neidiquele Silveira (Unesp), created and patented a new innovative method to delay ripening. 

The solution developed by the scientists is based on biodegradable and biocompatible polymeric nanoparticles containing nitric oxide donor, a compound that inhibits the action of ethylene, reduces oxidative stress in fruit cells and acts as a regulator of ripening processes. The nanoparticles can be applied to fruits after harvesting, by spraying or immersing the food in liquid containing the compound.

The innovation allows for increased fruit shelf life, reduced softening and limited mass loss, all at low cost and high efficiency. In an interview with the website of the National Institute of Science and Technology in Nanotechnology for Sustainable Agriculture, Joana Pieretti emphasizes that the solution avoids waste and reduces financial losses for producers, with possible losses in the transportation and marketing stages, in addition to boosting production activity by enabling international trade in fleshy fruits.