Synthesis and characterization of the polyvinyl alcohol/starch/chitosan antibacterial film reinforced with NiO-CuO nanoparticles for food packaging

Packaging is of great importance for maintaining the quality and preservation of food. Nowadays, antibacterial packaging for food gets very popular. In this study, nanocomposite films of polyvinyl alcohol/starch/chitosan (PVA/ST/CS) along with nickel oxide-copper oxide nanoparticles (NiO-CuONPs) are prepared for food packaging. For this purpose, NiO-CuONPs were synthesized by the co-precipitation method and structural characterization of nanoparticles (NPs) was carried out by XRD, FTIR and SEM techniques. Composites of PVA/ST/CS containing different percentages of NPs were prepared by casting method. The interaction between polymer compounds and NPs was confirmed by FTIR. Also, the distribution of particles within the composite was investigated by FESEM. The mechanical, diffusion barrier and thermal stability properties were determined. The results of mechanical tests showed that adding NPs up to ۱% improves the mechanical properties (TS=۳۱.۹۴ MPa), while ۲% of NPs decreases the TS to ۱۴.۷۶ MPa. The toxicity on fibroblast cells and the antibacterial activity of the films against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria were investigated. As a result, the antibacterial properties of the films were improved and these films did not show any toxicity. All in all, the bio-nanocomposite films involving NiO-CuONPs can be a promising proposal for food packaging.

کلیدواژه ها:

Polyvinyl alcohol ، Starch ، Chitosan ، Nickel oxide-copper oxide nanoparticles ، Food packaging