STUDIES ON EFFECT OF NANO FILLER INCORPORATED (HYDROXYPROPYL) METHYL CELLULOSE (HPMC) POLYMER FILMS ON POST-HARVEST MANGO (MANGIFERA INDICA L.) RIPENING

Author(s): Mukunda Chethan Kumar*, Syeda Hajira Banu, Nagashree Shamarao, B V Latha

Abstract: Aim: To study the effect of carbon-coated cobalt oxide incorporated (hydroxypropl) methyl cellulose (HPMC) nano filler films on post-harvest ripening of Mangifera indica L. Methods: The carbon-coated cobalt oxide nano fillers were synthesised by conventional sol-gel technique employing metal sulphate as oxidant and urea as fuel with 4.3g of yield. The synthesized nano fillers were efficiently intercalated into the particle stabilising HPMC matrix by solution casting technique and the composite obtained were characterised by UV/visible absorbance and fluorescence emission studies. Results: A steady increase in absorbance intensity was observed with increasing nano filler content in the films. Further, a high intense fluorescence peak at 420nm established the presence of carbon-coated cobalt oxide in the polymeric matrix. The nano filler films were found to exhibit significant effect on delaying the ripening process of Mangifera indica L thus enhancing the shelf life of the post-harvest fruit. The solution casted films with varied concentration of filler contents were then evaluated for their antimicrobial efficacy using disc diffusion technique to study their effect on food-borne diseases and poisoning. Significant antimicrobial activity was observed at 66µg of the nano filler against E.coli, B. subtilis, S. typhi and C. albicans. Conclusion: It is evident from the observation made in the present study that the carbon-coated cobalt oxide incorporated Hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) nano filler films is beneficial to the shelf life of post-harvest mangoes and significantly inhibit food borne disease causing microorganisms.

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