Enhancing apple shelf life: A comparative analysis of photocatalytic activity in pure and manganese-doped ZnO nanoparticles

This paper presents the hydrothermal synthesis of pure and manganese-doped ZnO nanoparticles with varying doping concentrations (1–5 %) for the purpose of examining photocatalytic activity and extending apple's shelf life. The structural, morphological, vibrational and optical characteristics of nanoparticles were investigated with the aid of XPS, XRD, SEM, FTIR, and PL. When tested for photocatalytic activity against methylene blue (MB), it was confirmed that Mn–ZnO NPs showed improved photocatalytic performance during MB degradation. Additionally, apples treated with synthesized nanoparticles were subjected to a variety of tests to determine influence of these NPs on the shelf life of apples, including those that measured weight loss over time, moisture content, ascorbic acid, and decay process. The current study is quite interesting because it correlates photocatalytic activity with Apple's shelf life. Moreover, Mn doped ZnO showed remarkable antifungal and antibacterial properties against Rosellinia necatrix and Fusarium spp. and Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.