Disinfecting efficacy of a plastic container covered with photocatalyst for postharvest

The simplification of the cleaning process of plastic containers used in the storage and/or distribution of fruits or vegetables is important. We coated a plastic container with an apatite-coated titanium dioxide photocatalyst (TiO2–Ap container), and examined its disinfecting efficacy under UV irradiation from black light. The disinfecting efficacy of the TiO2–Ap container on diluted drops evaporated from spinach (suspension) was examined. Changes in the microbial populations of the total aerobic bacteria, coliform bacteria, and moulds and yeasts in the TiO2–Ap container were assayed at 25 °C for 24 h (UV-A intensity of 0.2 and 0.4 mW cm−2). The results showed that all of the microbial populations in the TiO2–Ap container decreased with irradiation time and then reduced to uncountable levels. It was found that the increase in UV-A intensity enhanced the disinfecting efficacy.