Effect of Nano Packaging on the Quality and Increasing Shelf Life of Pomegranate Arils of Rabab and Mallas Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.)

Given the increasing consumer demand for ready-to-eat products in recent years, the use of nano technology has been considered to improve the quality and increase the shelf life of fresh cuttings of fruit and vegetables. In this research, the effects of polypropylene contents of Nanoclay nanocomposites prepared by Bespar Aitec Company dishes, on quantitative and qualitative post-harvest indices of arils of pomegranate cultivars "Rabab-Neyriz" and "Milas-Neyriz" after 30 days Storage at 5 °C were investigated. For this purpose, soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), phenol, ascorbic acid, antioxidant activity, total anthocyanin, flavor index, and sensory evaluation (panel test) were evaluated at a time interval of 6 days. Based on the results, the studied cultivars showed significant differences in qualitative characteristics, especially anthocyanins. In both cultivars, total phenol content, ascorbic acid, anthocyanin and antioxidant capacity gradually decreased over time. Although there was no significant difference between the Nano and control samples for flavor index, other traits showed significant differences. In both cultivars, Nano- packaged arils showed higher phenol, ascorbic acid, anthocyanin and antioxidant contents compared to the control samples. Nano- packaged arils of Rabab cultivar showed a better marketability. These results indicated that Nano- packaging is a promising approach in maintaining quality and increasing shelf life and marketability of pomegranate arils during 30 days storage.