Respiratory-responsive active elimination of microbe and pesticide residue on fruits

Microbial spoilage and excessive pesticide residues pose significant health risks in fresh fruits. This study introduces a concept of active elimination of pesticide residues and microbes on fruit by cellular respiration-stimulated ROS release. For this aim, the biocompatible Zn@metal-organic frameworks (Zn@MOFs) are constructed to autonomously produce reactive oxygen species without light activation, driven by ambient oxygen and moisture activated through fruit cellular respiration. The in situ produced ROS concurrently enhances broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity towards fungi and bacteria. With the help of pectin, the Zn@MOFs could form a uniform and robust protective layer on fruit, adsorb pesticides on the fruit surface, and significantly extend the freshness of non-climacteric fruits and climacteric fruits. Metabolomics analysis reveals that such active coating suppresses key ripening-associated metabolic pathways, including amino acid metabolism and ABC transporter activity. The coating offers a promising, innovative approach for developing next-generation active food packaging.