Decontamination of Fresh-Cut Produce Using Photo-Active Carbon Nanoparticles: Current Status and Challenges

Abstract

Fresh-cut fruits and vegetables (FCFV) consumption has increased significantly in recent years. The FCFV products are susceptible to microbiological contamination due to the cutting and grating processes. These processes will promote biological changes and consequently lose the quality. Several technologies are used to preserve the quality of fresh-cut produce, such as irradiation of ultraviolet light, edible coatings, heat treatment, and use of natural compounds, etc. In the present article, we propose the synthesis approach for photo-active carbon nanoparticles for their use in the decontamination of fresh-cut fruits and vegetables. The carbon nanoparticles are considered an immerging nanomaterial for biomedical applications because of near-infrared fluorescence carbon dots (NIR CDs) activity, low-toxicity, abundance, biocompatibility, and excellent photostability. The importance of carbon nanoparticles as a photo-active material and the current status of the research on photo-active carbon nanoparticles have been discussed.