Fitri Afriani, Riris Sukowati, Dhewa Edikresnha, Fenny Martha Dwivany, Dian Ahmad Hapidin, Khairurrijal Khairurrijal
In this study, we successfully synthesized nanofibrous membranes based on glucomannan and polyethylene oxide (PEO), incorporated with titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles (GM/PEO/TiO2), using the rotary force spinning (RFS) technique. Incorporating TiO2 nanoparticles significantly reduced the fiber diameter, resulting in smooth nanofibers with an average diameter of approximately 275 nm. The presence of TiO2 nanoparticles markedly enhanced the photocatalytic performance of the GM/PEO/TiO2 nanofibrous membranes, particularly in degrading ethylene gas. Leveraging this property, the nanofibrous membranes were integrated into active packaging systems for bananas, utilizing bamboo weaving as a sustainable container. The application of the nanofibrous membranes effectively extended the shelf life of bananas, as confirmed through comprehensive analyses of peel colorimetric changes and physiological parameters, including hardness retention, reduced weight loss, decreased ethylene production, and lower CO2 respiration rates. Overall, the GM/PEO/TiO2 nanofibrous membranes developed in this work offer significant potential for advancing non-toxic, environmentally friendly active packaging solutions for postharvest preservation. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2025.
Department of Physics, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Jalan Ganesa No. 10, Jawa Barat, Bandung, 40132, Indonesia; Department of Physics, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Universitas Bangka Belitung, Kampus Terpadu UBB, Kepulauan Bangka Belitung, Bangka, 33172, Indonesia; Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Jalan Ganesa No. 10, Jawa Barat, Bandung, 40132, Indonesia; Center for Green and Sustainable Materials, Institut Teknologi Sumatera, Jalan Terusan Ryacudu, Lampung Selatan, Lampung, 35365, Indonesia; Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Institut Teknologi Sumatera, Jalan Terusan Ryacudu, Lampung Selatan, Lampung, 35365, Indonesia