Functionalization of Polyethylene (PE) and Polypropylene (PP) Material Using Chitosan Nanoparticles with Incorporated Resveratrol as Potential Active Packaging.

Tjaša Kraševac Glaser,Alenka Vesel,Nataša Poklar Ulrih,Urban Bren,Lidija Fras Zemljič,Urban Ajdnik,Olivija Plohl,Maša Knez Hrnčič

doi:10.3390/ma12132118

Tjaša Kraševac Glaser, Alenka Vesel + Show 6 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/ma12132118

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Abstract

The present paper reports a novel method to improve the properties of polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) polymer foils suitable for applications in food packaging. It relates to the adsorption of chitosan-colloidal systems onto untreated and oxygen plasma-treated foil surfaces. It is hypothesized that the first coated layer of chitosan macromolecular solution enables excellent antibacterial properties, while the second (uppermost) layer contains a network of polyphenol resveratrol, embedded into chitosan nanoparticles, which enables antioxidant and antimicrobial properties simultaneously. X-ray photon spectroscopy (XPS) and infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) showed successful binding of both coatings onto foils as confirmed by gravimetric method. In addition, both attached layers (chitosan macromolecular solution and dispersion of chitosan nanoparticles with incorporated resveratrol) onto foils reduced oxygen permeability and wetting contact angle of foils; the latter indicates good anti-fog foil properties. Reduction of both oxygen permeability and wetting contact angle is more pronounced when foils are previously activated by O2 plasma. Moreover, oxygen plasma treatment improves stability and adhesion of chitosan structured adsorbates onto PP and PE foils. Foils also exhibit over 90% reduction of Staphylococcus aureus and over 77% reduction of Escherichia coli as compared to untreated foils and increase antioxidant activity for over a factor of 10. The present method may be useful in different packaging applications such as food (meat, vegetables, dairy, and bakery products) and pharmaceutical packaging, where such properties of foils are desired.

Highlights

Novel-packaging materials have become an essential part of the global food packaging market aiding the ever-increasing consumer awareness and importance of eco-friendly substitutes.The demand for innovative packaging is expanding and will continue to grow as the companies utilize packaging as a medium to protect their products and to promote environment protection [1,2,3,4,5].Materials 2019, 12, 2118; doi:10.3390/ma12132118 www.mdpi.com/journal/materialsThe European packaging industry has a market value of approximately 80 billion EUR and accounts for ≈40% of the global packaging market
This paper introduces the development of complex, composite material based on previous PE/PP-cold oxygen plasma activation and further attachment of chitosan colloidal systems in different structural forms; i.e., (i) chitosan macromolecular solution was applied as a first layer onto PE and PP foils and, (ii) RES was encapsulated into chitosan nanoparticles and further applied onto i) coated PE and PP
polydispersity index (PDI) and zeta potential of chitosan nanoparticles with embedded resveratrol were compared to those results of chitosan nanoparticles alone

Summary

Introduction

Novel-packaging materials have become an essential part of the global food packaging market aiding the ever-increasing consumer awareness and importance of eco-friendly substitutes.The demand for innovative packaging is expanding and will continue to grow as the companies utilize packaging as a medium to protect their products and to promote environment protection [1,2,3,4,5].Materials 2019, 12, 2118; doi:10.3390/ma12132118 www.mdpi.com/journal/materialsThe European packaging industry has a market value of approximately 80 billion EUR and accounts for ≈40% of the global packaging market. Novel-packaging materials have become an essential part of the global food packaging market aiding the ever-increasing consumer awareness and importance of eco-friendly substitutes. Major manufacturers of packaging materials are looking to differentiate their products from those of their competitors by providing the best possible functional and/or biodegradable packaging products as per consumer demands. Majority of research on the development of innovative food packaging materials has been carried out with a view to combat against pathogens, to reduce spoilage and waste, to optimize process efficiency, to reduce the need for chemical preservatives, to improve the functionality of foods, and to improve the nutritional and sensorial properties of food, responding to the demands of different consumer niches and markets, in terms of affordability [1,2,3,4,5,6,7]

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