Abstract
In this work, active sheets composed by thermoplastic starch and poly (lactic acid) (PLA) coated with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were obtained. The mechanical properties and water vapor permeability of the sheets were not affected by the presence of the silver nanoparticles. As a proof of concept, the sheets were applied to pack sliced cooked ham for 7 days at 10°C. Migration of metallic silver from the sheets to the sliced ham was detected in a considered safe concentration, according to literature data, by ICP-MS. The sheets coated with AgNPs were able to significantly hinder psychrotrophic and mesophilic bacteria growth during 7 days of storage when compared to the control sample (sheets without AgNPs). Furthermore, lipid oxidation occurred in a higher proportion in the ham packaged with AgNPs, probably due to the catalyst effect of silver. It may be concluded that the sheets composed by starch and PLA acted as an effective support for the AgNPs, as well as an active packaging for sliced cooked ham.
Highlights
Packages produced from biopolymers allow the incorporation of additives, such as antioxidants, antimicrobials, colorants, and other nutrients
Biobased polymers such as thermoplastic starch (TPS ), poly (PLA) and their respective blends are preferred due to environmental concerns and because they can operate as support for active compounds, in addition to protect foodstuff from external agents
Nano-food packaging based on metallic nanocomposites with antimicrobial properties represent a new generation of active packages (Panea, Ripoll, González, Fernández-Cuello, & Albertí, 2014)
Summary
Packages produced from biopolymers allow the incorporation of additives, such as antioxidants, antimicrobials, colorants, and other nutrients. Biobased polymers such as thermoplastic starch (TPS ), poly (lactic acid) (PLA) and their respective blends are preferred due to environmental concerns and because they can operate as support for active compounds, in addition to protect foodstuff from external agents. In the case of antimicrobial agents, active packages may act increasing products shelf life, as well as maintaining their sensory and nutritional properties (Pizzoli et al, 2016; Singh, Jairath, & Ahlawat, 2016). The AgNPs application in different products have been extensively studied, such as to edible films and food products (An, Zhang, Wang, & Tang, 2008; Marchiore et al, 2017), to cotton cloths (Onitsuka et al, 2019), and as antimicrobial films and packages (Braga, Pérez, Soazo, & Machado, 2019; Hannon et al, 2018; Pizzoli et al, 2016), showing that there is a potential for AgNPs application in foodstuff preservation
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