CO₂ Escaping In Situ Endowed the Antimicrobial Nanocellulose Packaging Film with a Microporous Structure

Abstract

The atmosphere and the mold under high humidity severely determine the shelf-life of fruits and vegetables. The microporous structure is helpful to regulate the atmosphere in the package. In this study, we designed a nanocellulose film with a microporous structure by CO2 escaping in situ. The microporous structure provided a pathway that enhanced the gas transmission rate, with the porosity of the film reaching 79.60% and O2 and CO2 transmission reaching 115.57 ± 1.81 cm3/m2 day bar and 145.91 ± 11.71 cm3/m2 day bar, respectively. Polyethyleneimine was exposed around the micropores accompanied by CO2 escaping in situ, which endowed the film with excellent antimicrobial property. The film could regulate the atmosphere and inhibit the microbial growth to maintain the color and taste of green plums and loquats for a long time. CO2 escaping in situ provides a green and sustainable strategy for the development of packaging materials of the microporous structured nanocellulose films with antimicrobial property.