Preparation and Characterization of Chitosan-Based Nanocomposite Films with Antimicrobial Activity

• Published in: Journal of agricultural and food chemistry 2006-08, Vol.54 (16), p.5814-5822
• Main Authors: Rhim, Jong-Whan, Hong, Seok-In, Park, Hwan-Man, Ng, Perry K. W
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anti-Infective Agents; Biological and medical sciences; Chemical Phenomena; Chemistry, Physical; Chitosan - chemistry; Food industries; Food microbiology; Food Packaging - instrumentation; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Solubility; Tensile Strength; Water
• ISSN: 0021-8561; 1520-5118
• DOI: 10.1021/jf060658h

Four different types of chitosan-based nanocomposite films were prepared using a solvent-casting method by incorporation with four types of nanoparticles, that is, an unmodified montmorillonite (Na-MMT), an organically modified montmorillonite (Cloisite 30B), a Nano-silver, and a Ag-zeolite (Ag-Ion). X-ray diffraction patterns of the nanocomposite films indicated that a certain degree of intercalation was formed in the nanocomposite films, with the highest intercalation in the Na-MMT-incorporated films followed by films with Cloisite 30B and Ag-Ion. Scanning electron micrographs showed that in all of the nanocomposite films, except the Nano-silver-incorporated one, nanoparticles were dispersed homogeneously throughout the chitosan polymer matrix. Consequently, mechanical and barrier properties of chitosan films were affected through intercalation of nanoparticles, that is, tensile strength increased by 7−16%, whereas water vapor permeability decreased by 25−30% depending on the nanoparticle material tested. In addition, chitosan-based nanocomposite films, especially silver-containing ones, showed a promising range of antimicrobial activity. Keywords: Chitosan-based film; nanocomposite; montmorillonite; Nano-silver; Ag-zeolite; antimicrobial activity