Development of active packaging films based on poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) and silver–montmorillonite for shelf life extension of sea bream

Abstract

This paper is a continuation of our previous study focusing on the development of active food packaging films and presents the results of their potential application in the sea bream storage. Intended for fish packaging, active nanocomposite films based on poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) and silver–montmorillonite (PBAT/Ag-MMT) with 2, 3 and 5 wt. % of Ag-MMT were successfully prepared and characterized by several techniques which confirmed the formation of exfoliated nanocomposite structures with a random dispersion of spherically shaped Ag nanoparticles on the whole of the polymer matrix. PBAT/Ag-MMT films exhibited a sharp reduction in their water and oxygen permeabilities. The kinetic study of the silver ions migration confirmed that the release was mainly ensured by diffusion. Due to this controlled release, these packaging films displayed a long-lasting antibacterial activity. Furthermore, the results of their use as sea bream packaging films confirmed their great potential for maintaining the freshness and quality of the fish and extending its shelf life for a period of 15 days.