Disinfecting efficacy of a plastic container covered with photocatalyst for postharvest

• Published in: Food control Vol. 18; no. 1; pp. 1 - 4
• Main Authors: Koide, S., Nonami, T.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 2007
• Subjects: aerobes; Apatite; coatings; coliform bacteria; containers; Disinfection; food contact surfaces; food packaging; food storage; fruits (food); microbial load; molds (fungi); on-farm food safety; packaging materials; Photocatalyst; Plastic container; plastics; plate count; Postharvest; postharvest treatment; spinach; Spinacia oleracea; titanium dioxide; ultraviolet radiation; vegetables; yeasts; Postharvest; Plastic container; Disinfection; Apatite; Photocatalyst
• ISSN: 0956-7135; 1873-7129
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2005.08.001

The simplification of the cleaning process of plastic containers used in the storage and/or distribution of fruits or vegetables is important. We coated a plastic container with an apatite-coated titanium dioxide photocatalyst (TiO 2–Ap container), and examined its disinfecting efficacy under UV irradiation from black light. The disinfecting efficacy of the TiO 2–Ap container on diluted drops evaporated from spinach (suspension) was examined. Changes in the microbial populations of the total aerobic bacteria, coliform bacteria, and moulds and yeasts in the TiO 2–Ap container were assayed at 25 °C for 24 h (UV-A intensity of 0.2 and 0.4 mW cm −2). The results showed that all of the microbial populations in the TiO 2–Ap container decreased with irradiation time and then reduced to uncountable levels. It was found that the increase in UV-A intensity enhanced the disinfecting efficacy.