Development of organic-inorganic hybrid antimicrobial materials by mechanical force and application for active packaging

Abstract

The loading and delivery of nanomaterials have attracted considerable interest. In this study, the organic-inorganic hybrid antimicrobial materials of clove essential oil (CEO) intercalated organic montmorillonite (MMT) were prepared using a facile and novel cryogenic ball milling technology and characterized. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, and transmission electron micrograph analysis confirmed the successful preparation of the hybrid antimicrobial materials, and thermogravimetric analysis further demonstrated the thermal stability. In a novel application, hybrid antimicrobial materials were extruded with thermoplastic starch (TPS), polylactic acid (PLA), and poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) to prepare active packaging films. The film release experiments showed that the CEO in the film, containing hybrid antimicrobial materials, was in a sustained release state, and its equilibrium release was higher than that of other films. The prepared films were used to preserve fresh abalone （Haliotis discus hannai Ino）, physicochemical changes and microbiological counts were determined. The results showed that the shelf life of fresh abalone packed in films containing hybrid antimicrobial materials was extended by 3–5 days, indicating that cryogenic ball milling is a simple and effective method for preparing organic-inorganic hybrid antimicrobial materials for active packaging.