Measuring the migration of silver from silver nanocomposite polyethylene packaging based on (TiO2) into Penaeus semisulcatus using titration comparison with migration methods

Abstract

We have employed both common and novel methods to measure the amount of silver released from nanoparticle composite packaging. Forty-eight packages of green tiger prawns (Penaeus semisulcatus) were prepared: 24 packages with nanoparticle packaging and 24 packages without nanoparticle packaging. The normal shelf life of P. semisulcatus in the refrigerator is 1–2 days, and we therefore we tested the packages after 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 days. We measured the diameter of the inhibition zone of the targeted microorganisms (Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus) and examined scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images, using both titration and migration methods, to measure the amounts of silver nanoparticles released. Compared to the standard amount allowed by standard 13737-3 of the National Information Standards Organization, our results indicated the superior sensitivity of the titration method over the migration method in terms of determining the remaining amount of nanoparticles (P < 0.05). The evaluation of SEM images indicated the homogeneity of the surface of the silver nanoparticle packaging and the even exchange capacity of titanium dioxide. The average size of the nanoparticles in the packaging films was determined to be 30–48 nm. The diameter of the inhibition zone in the silver nanoparticle, measured at the six time points, was significantly larger than that seen with other packaging, except for the phosphomycin and penicillin antibiogram disks (P < 0.01). The sensitivity of the titration method using the titration equipment was significantly higher than that of the migration method (P < 0.05). The findings indicate that nanoparticle packaging decreased the microbial count and enhanced the shelf life of P. semisulcatus, leading us to recommend the utilization of silver nanoparticle packaging.