Microscopic Image Segmentation and Morphological Characterization of Novel Chitosan/Silica Nanoparticle/Nisin Films Using Antimicrobial Technique for Blueberry Preservation.

Rokayya Sami,Mahmoud Helal,Schahrazad Soltane

doi:10.3390/membranes11050303

Abstract

In the current work, the characterization of novel chitosan/silica nanoparticle/nisin films with the addition of nisin as an antimicrobial technique for blueberry preservation during storage is investigated. Chitosan/Silica Nanoparticle/N (CH-SN-N) films presented a stable suspension as the surface loads (45.9 mV) and the distribution was considered broad (0.62). The result shows that the pH value was increased gradually with the addition of nisin to 4.12, while the turbidity was the highest at 0.39. The content of the insoluble matter and contact angle were the highest for the Chitosan/Silica Nanoparticle (CH-SN) film at 5.68%. The use of nano-materials in chitosan films decreased the material ductility, reduced the tensile strength and elongation-at-break of the membrane. The coated blueberries with Chitosan/Silica Nanoparticle/N films reported the lowest microbial contamination counts at 2.82 log CFU/g followed by Chitosan/Silica Nanoparticle at 3.73 and 3.58 log CFU/g for the aerobic bacteria, molds, and yeasts population, respectively. It was observed that (CH) film extracted 94 regions with an average size of 449.10, at the same time (CH-SN) film extracted 169 regions with an average size of 130.53. The (CH-SN-N) film presented the best result at 5.19%. It could be observed that the size of the total region of the fruit for the (CH) case was the smallest (1663 pixels), which implied that the fruit lost moisture content. As a conclusion, (CH-SN-N) film is recommended for blueberry preservation to prolong the shelf-life during storage.

Highlights

Silicon dioxide (SiO2 ) is well known as ultra-thin films that are efficiently used for modern nanotechnologies techniques such as surface passivation materials, catalysts, anti-fogging, dielectric materials, self-cleaning, and anti-corrosion as it considered an environmental and friendly nature component [1,2]
The current study aims to investigate the characterization of novel chitosan/silica nanoparticle films with the addition of nisin as an antimicrobial technique for blueberry preservation during storage
The results reported that the membranes in Chitosan/Silica Nanoparticle exhibited an

Summary

Introduction

Silicon dioxide (SiO2 ) is well known as ultra-thin films that are efficiently used for modern nanotechnologies techniques such as surface passivation materials, catalysts, anti-fogging, dielectric materials, self-cleaning, and anti-corrosion as it considered an environmental and friendly nature component [1,2]. The Si-SiO2 system in powder or thin-film form is widely used in the food industry and food preservation fields as nanoparticle functions can act as a property enhancer, which is the most abundant material in the earth’s crust [3,4]. Nanocomposite SiO2 can preserve the freshness of foods and inhibit rancidity, color change, nutrient loss, dehydration, sticking, microbial attack in-vitro, and in-vivo [11]. It can maintain respiration rates, acceptable levels of sensory evaluations, physiological qualities, and longer shelf-life during storage [12]

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Discussion

Conclusion