Polymer Based Nanocomposites as Food Packaging Material Amal M. Metak, Shahrzad S. Connolly & Stephen N. Connolly Table (2) EDS analysis of Nano-silver polymer packaging after calcination
Introduction Nanomaterials have the potential to contribute significantly to the food processing industry by enhancing the durability of perishable products and lowering energy consumption through the reduction of waste generated post manufacturing and packaging. In the global marketplace, the US is leading in nanotechnology research, followed by Japan, China and Germany. Subsequently nanotechnology products are marketed widely in many sectors, particularly in healthcare, drug delivery, regenerative medicine, electronics, environmental products, IT, cosmetics, textiles, food processing and Clay packaging.
Element
O
Na
Weight %
36.4
0.57
Atomic%
59.45 0.65
Mg
Al
Si
P
S
Cl
2.87 17.4
2.15
4.91
0.31
0.86
3.08 16.8
2.00
4.14 0.25
Ca
Ti
Ag
10.9 0.47 23.0
0.63 7.12 0.26 5.57
2- X-Ray Diffraction (XRD)
Nanocomposite packaging
Advantages of Nanocomposites as food packaging CO2 ,O2 and H2O barriers High mechanical strength Good optical clarity Extend shelf life High thermal performance
Highly competitive products Naturally sourced raw materials Reduce transportation cost Infinite raw material resource
Figure (3) SEM image of Nano-silver polymer packaging
Figure (2) XRD patterns of Nano-silver polymer packaging
3- Migration Assessment The work has performed complete surface intercalation of 9 selected food matrixes with the antimicrobial packages to measure the amounts of silver released in 7 & 10 days time.
ICP-MS results
35 30 Conc µg/L
Are polymers incorporating particles which have at least one dimension less than 100 nm to produce materials with enhanced properties. Figure (1) illustrates Permeant the origin of the potential barrier Figure (1) Tortuous path in layered properties of nanocomposites Nanocomposite (Based on De Azeredo, 2009)
25 20 15
7 days 10 days
10 5 0 BR
A
CH
MP
OJ
C
G.B
BU
W
Sample Name
Figure (4) amounts of silver released into food samples by time of storage 7 &10 days
Materials and Method Qualitative analysis of nanocomposite food packaging materials: Nano-silver determination by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) confirming presence of Nano-silver molecules on the material surface and in bulk polymer samples. Elemental mapping analysis performed by Energy-Dispersive X-ray (EDS). Migration assessment: analysis of food samples stored in Nanosilver packages for 7 - 10 days using ICP-MS. Antimicrobial Assessment: Storage of food samples in Nanosilver containers for ten days.
4- Antimicrobial Activity
Plastic packaging Nano-silver packaging Figure (5) Effects of Antimicrobial Packaging 10 Days
Conclusion Determination of elements amounts. Insignificance levels of migration . Antimicrobial agents are Ag and TiO2 Verification of Ag and TiO2 as antimicrobial agent.
Main Findings 1- Nano-silver packaging structure Table (1) EDS of Nano-silver polymer packaging before calcination
Surface Element Weight %
O
C
Mg
59.3 14.2 0.71
Future Work
Al
Si
Cl
K
Fe
Ag
Ti
10.2
2.12
2.00
0.07
0.02
-
0.39
Investigation of other varieties of nanocomposite packaging. Cytotoxicity and genotoxicity assays. Shelf-life assessment.
References Inside sample Element
O
Na
Mg
Al
Si
Weight %
39.2
5.3
1.51 13..3 22.92
Cl
Ca
Fe
0.20
0.93
7.13
Ag
Ti
0.26 1.54
1. Bradley, E L Castle L and Chaudhry Q Applications of nanomaterials in food packaging with a consideration of opportunities for developing countries Trends in Food Science & Technology (2011) pp1-7 2. De Azeredo, HM (2009) Nanocomposites for food packaging applications Food Research International 42 pp1240–1253