Photocatalytic and Photochemical Oxidation of Ethylene: Potential for Storage of Fresh Produce—a Review

The phytohormone ethylene exerts numerous beneficial and detrimental effects on postharvest quality and storage life of fruit and vegetables. In view of the current global challenge of reducing postharvest losses and waste of fruit and vegetables, the importance of ethylene management in the supply chain is paramount. For this purpose, various methods have been applied along the supply chain over the years; however, effective management of ethylene under real-time storage and transport conditions still remains a challenging task. This review explores the potential of photocatalytic and photochemical oxidation of ethylene for effective removal of this gas along the value chain of fruit and vegetables. These techniques involve the use of ultraviolet (UV) radiation with or without a catalyst. In photocatalytic oxidation, a semiconductor such as titanium dioxide is essential which acts as a photocatalyst on irradiation with UV light and thus facilitates the oxidation of ethylene at its surface, whereas in photochemical oxidation, extreme short wave (i.e. below 200 nm) vacuum ultraviolet radiation (VUV) consisting of high-energy photons eliminates ethylene in the gaseous state. This review gives a brief overview of current commercial techniques used in ethylene removal and then focuses on the photocatalytic and the photochemical oxidation of ethylene and the combination of both methods. The various factors affecting these processes are also discussed including the advantages and the drawbacks associated with them, and current applications of these methods in fruit and vegetable storage systems are highlighted. In addition, a future outlook on the application of these methods in postharvest storage of fresh produce is given.