Preparation of Carrageenan-based Antimicrobial Films Incorporated With Sulfur Nanoparticles

Abstract

Carrageenan-based functional films were prepared by adding two different types of sulfur nanoparticles (SNP) synthesized from sodium thiosulfate (SNPSTS) and elemental sulfur (SNPES). The films were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). Also, film properties such as UV-visible light transmittance, water contact angle (WCA), water vapor permeability (WVP), mechanical properties, and antibacterial activity were evaluated. SNPs were uniformly dispersed in the carrageenan matrix to form flexible films. The addition of SNP significantly increased the film properties such as water vapor barrier and surface hydrophobicity but did not affect the mechanical properties. The carrageenan/SNP composite film showed some antibacterial activity against foodborne pathogenic bacteria, L. monocytogenes and E. coli.