Application of nanotechnology in fruit crops-from synthesis to sustainable packaging

Fresh fruits, rich in essential nutrients and bioactive compounds, contribute positively to human health. However, their perishable nature and post-harvest shelf life contribute to significant worldwide losses, posing sustainable challenges in quality preservation and reducing waste in fruit production. Thus, many advancements have been developed, including nanotechnology, which can potentially increase fruit production by improving its quality, efficiency, and sustainability. Nanoscience is rapidly advancing as one of the key areas of applied research, offering diverse applications in fruit crops. Nanoparticles used in the form of nano-fertilizers, nano-pesticides, nano-coatings, nanofilms, and nano packaging have distinct features used for targeted site-specific pest and disease management, smart nutrient supply, and delivery via biosensor(s) in fruit crops. Moreover, they are synthesized efficiently, functioning rapidly in a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable manner. These innovations collectively address critical challenges in fruit crop management, including promoting plant growth and stress resilience, boosting productivity, extending shelf life, reducing post-harvest damage, and improving crop quality while mitigating environmental impact and ensuring food safety. This review comprehensively highlights substantial insights into using nanoparticles as a promising technique for increasing fruit crop resilience and ensuring food security in the context of environmental changes, as well as the recent application of nanotechnology at various stages of fruit production.