Biogenic Silver Nanoparticle-Infused PVA–PEG Nanocomposites for Food Packaging: Physical, Anti-microbial, and Toxicity Evaluation
摘要
Nanomaterial-based food packaging materials are an emerging need. Particularly, silver nanoparticles blended into food packaging are more effective in preventing microbial attacks. But inorganic forms of silver nanoparticles usage at the food industry become the biggest health concern because of the toxicity. In this study, biogenic SNPs were prepared with the seed coat of the seed of Cucurbita pepo L. and blended in a PVA–PEG solution to produce food packaging material. The prepared samples HUS01 (PVA/PEG), HUS02 (PVA/PEG/CL-SNPs), and HUS03 (CL-SNPs) were tested for their physical anti-microbial and toxicity characteristics. During FTIR analysis, the identified peak at 3432 cm−1 indicated the presence of phenolic and alcoholic compounds and 3370 cm−1 confirmed the polymer blend. In the UV–DRS study, an SPR peak was observed at 419 nm. Further, in the XRD study, the plane values (2θ) at 38°, 44°, 64°, and 77° confirm the presence of PVA–PEG/CP-SNPs in the composite material. TEM micrograph showed the size of the used CL-SNPs is 20 nm. During TGA analysis, the decomposition of PVA–PEG/CL-SNPs nanocomposite yields a char residue of 14%, which is higher than that of the PVA and PVA–PEG blend. HUS02 has shown anti-microbial activity against Listeria and Salmonella at 7 and 6 nm; Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus flavus, and Penicillium sp. 6 mm, respectively. HUS02 has shown a 65 and 45% mortality rate against Artemia salina after 24 and 48 h, respectively. The present study suggested that it can be utilized as packaging materials to improve the shelf life of fruit, vegetables, and meat products. Hence, further shelf life study is required.
Graphical Abstract