Development of an antimicrobial material based on a nanocomposite cellulose acetate film for active food packaging

Abstract

Nanocomposites based on biopolymers have been recognised as potential materials for the development of new ecofriendly food packaging. In addition, if these materials incorporate active substances in their structure, the potential applications are much higher. Therefore, this work was oriented to develop nanocomposites with antimicrobial activity based on cellulose acetate (CA), a commercial organoclay Cloisite30B (C30B), thymol (T) as natural antimicrobial component and tri-ethyl citrate (TEC) as plasticiser. Nanocomposites were prepared by a solvent casting method and consisted of 5% (w/w) of C30B, 5% (w/w) of TEC and variable content of T (0%, 0.5% and 2% w/w). To evaluate the effect of C30B into the CA matrix, CA films without this organoclay but with T were also prepared. All nanocomposites showed the intercalation of CA into the organoclay structure; furthermore this intercalation was favoured when 2% (w/w) of T was added to the nanocomposite. In spite of the observed intercalation, the presence of C30B inside the CA matrices increased the opacity of the films significantly. On the other hand, T showed a plasticiser effect on the thermal properties of CA nanocomposites decreasing glass transition, melting temperature and melting enthalpy. The presence of T in CA nanocomposites also allowed the control de Listeria innocua growth when these materials were placed in contact with this Gram-positive bacterium. Interestingly, antimicrobial activity was increased with the presence of C30B. Finally, studies on T release showed that the clay structure inside the CA matrix did not affect its release rate; however, this nanofiller affected the partition coefficient KP/FS which was higher to CA nanocomposites films than in CA films without organoclay. The results obtained in the present study are really promising to be applied in the manufacture of food packaging materials.

Responsive Food Packaging: Recent Progress and Technological Prospects

“…Additionally, bio‐based plastics have been explored for use as bio‐nanocomposite materials for food packaging (Rhim and others ; Reddy and others ; Ghanbarzadeh and others ; Ahmadzadeh and others ). Bio‐based active packaging materials like chitosan and plant‐based essential oils have also drawn considerable attention from researchers due to their availability and ability to be further modified with natural, bioactive compounds (Khan and others ; Rodríguez and others ; L Mateescu and others ). Research in biodegradable food packaging materials has also increased over the past decade in hopes of reducing the waste generated in the packaging stream (Yates and Barlow ; Yu and others ; Martino and others ).…”

Cellulose acetate-based composites with antimicrobial properties from embedded molybdenum trioxide particles

“…; Gorman and Jones ; Treacy and Goldberg ; Rodríguez et al . ). Plant‐derived biopolymers such as cellulose derivatives exhibit proficient properties such as thermoplasticity, low toxicity, biodegradability, biocompatibility and mucoadhesivity (Vieira et al .…”

Optimisation of β-cyclodextrin inclusion complexes with natural antimicrobial agents: thymol, carvacrol and linalool

“…The use of antimicrobial (AM) additives in food packaging films is a popular alternative to the direct addition of conventional preservatives to food products (Suppakul et al, 2003, Muriel-Galet et al, 2012, Makwana et al, 2014, Sung et al, 2014. Of the wide range of natural AM agents utilised in food packaging, essential oil extracts (EOEs) are prevalent due to their availability and, in many cases, broadspectrum AM activity (Gutierrez et al, 2008, Rodríguez et al, 2014. Examples of EOEs include thymol, carvacrol and linalool, which are hydrophobic AM agents extracted from basil and oregano plants.…”