Advances and perspectives of nanomaterials for photocatalytic degradation of biological ethylene toward the postharvest improvement of agricultural products

Abstract

To date, intensive emphasis is required to develop advanced postharvest technologies to ensure food security, increase nutrition, and improve farmers toward cleaner production. How to effectively degrade the harmful gaseous ethylene (C₂H₄) biosynthesis, which distributes heavy losses of fresh-cut fruits and vegetables, has received considerable attention. Among various advanced techniques, photocatalytic degradation of biological C₂H₄ is proposed as the most promising method to solve this issue. In this context, the recent studies on the photodegradation of C₂H₄ have been critically summarized and highlighted. Many photocatalysts, including TiO₂-based and non-TiO₂-based (metal oxides (ZnO, WO₃, Ga₂O₃), molybdates (β-Ag₂MoO₄), phosphides (Ag₃PO₄), perovskite oxides (Bi₂WO₆)) nanomaterials, have been revealed with credible performance results. Also, varying reaction parameters to optimize the photocatalytic degradation efficacy in the literature are summarized. We also discussed the current status, challenges, and prospects for enhanced photodegradation of C₂H₄ in this study. The efficacy and economics of photodegradation have played an essential role in selecting a particular type of photocatalyst. Although many efforts have been made, significant improvements are still required for photocatalysis. In this work, we have also successfully suggested some strategies to further promote this concept for controlling and degrading plant-generated C₂H₄ in fruit and vegetable postharvest in a sustainable and economically feasible manner.

Keywords: Ethylene (C2H4) biosynthesis; Photocatalysis; Photodegradation; Postharvest.