Responsive single-atom nanozymes in storage of fruits and vegetables: from atomic-level design to intelligent storage systems.

Postharvest quality deterioration in fruits and vegetables is driven by multiple factors, including the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), ethylene release, cell wall degradation, and microbial infection. Due to their high atomic utilization efficiency, well-defined active sites, and tunable electronic structures, single-atom nanozymes show great promise for applications in fruit and vegetable storage. This review summarizes the atomic-level control mechanisms and responsive catalytic characteristics of single-atom nanozymes, as well as recent advances in their applications for ethylene regulation, ROS homeostasis maintenance, antimicrobial and disease resistance, and the construction of storage interfaces. It also highlights cutting-edge research directions, including machine learning-aided design, in situ characterization, and high-entropy single-atom systems. Finally, the paper discusses future challenges regarding safety, stability, and large-scale application. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.