Performance of bacterial nanocellulose packaging film functionalised in situ with zinc oxide: Migration onto chicken skin and antimicrobial activity

• Published in: Food packaging and shelf life Vol. 39; p. 101140
• Main Authors: A.G. Soares Silva, Francisco, Bento de Carvalho, Teresa, Dourado, Fernando, Gama, Miguel, Teixeira, Paula, Poças, Fátima
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.11.2023
• Subjects: Active packaging; Bacterial nanocellulose; Migration; Nanoparticles; Zinc oxide; Nanoparticles; Bacterial nanocellulose; Zinc oxide; Active packaging; Migration
• ISSN: 2214-2894; 2214-2894
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fpsl.2023.101140

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO) are cost-effective antimicrobial agents with great potential for the active packaging industry. Bacterial NanoCellulose (BNC) features a porous fibre network, with high absorption capacity, flexible and with good mechanical properties, suitable as a carrier of active agents. In this work, BNCZnO films were developed and optimized regarding the particle size and ZnO concentration. The NaOH dropwise addition to BNC membranes immersed in Zn(CH3COO)2-PVOH enabled the production of ZnO nanoparticles with an z-average of 144 nm and a low polydispersity index. High ZnO incorporation (∼27%mZn/mBNCZnO) was obtained, with uniform distribution all over the BNC membranes. These composites were then characterized and evaluated for Zn migration using food simulants (10%, 20%, and 50% ethanol) with results lower than the limit. Migration into chicken skin, as a real food model, was low at 4 °C but exceeded the migration limit at 10 and 22 °C. Zn migration was also found to be temperature and pH dependent. When applied to chicken skin, BNCZnO was effective against E. coli, Salmonella (0.5–1.0 log reduction), and Campylobacter spp. (2.0 log reduction), indicating its potential for active packaging applications. •Small particles of ZnO (low polydispersity) obtained with Drop in situ method.•High ZnO incorporation in BNC using Drop in situ method.•Low Zn migration levels observed in food simulants and chicken skin at 4 °C.•Antimicrobial activity of BNCZnO tested on a real food model (chicken skin).