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Active bio-based packaging for fresh-cut melon: antimicrobial efficacy and zinc migration of nanocellulose/ZnO nanocomposite films
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Orientador(es)
Resumo(s)
Growing environmental concerns, together with the need to extend shelf life and protect food from pathogens and mechanical damage, are driving the development of innovative active packaging materials. In this study, nanocellulose (NC) films incorporating zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) with three different morphologies (spherical, sheet and flower) were produced by solvent casting for food packaging applications. Films were characterised by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and antimicrobial activity was addressed by agar diffusion assay against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. NC/ZnO films were used as package for fresh-cut melon, which was stored at 4 °C for one week, and subjected to microbiological, pH and zinc migration analysis. SEM revealed a porous, and nanofibrillar cellulose, suitable for NP retention, while cross sections showed the dispersion of NPs among the films. In vitro antimicrobial studies demonstrated the influence of morphology, with the sheet shape producing the highest inhibitory halos. In contact with melon, NC/ZnO films suppressed microbial proliferation relative to controls, keeping microbiological levels within acceptable limits up to day 7. Sheet shape showed the most significant effect. Total Zn migration plateaued at 7–8 mg kg-1 under a realistic area-to-mass scenario, with no significant differences among morphologies. Measurements reflect total Zn after acid digestion and ionic versus particulate species could not be distinguished. NC/ZnO films maintained slightly higher pH than controls. Overall, these findings highlight the potential of bio-based NC/ZnO films to extend melon shelf life, with antimicrobial efficacy strongly influenced by nanoparticle morphology.
Descrição
Palavras-chave
Zinc oxide nanoparticles Active food packaging Shelf life extension Fresh-cut melon Zinc migration Nanocellulose films Bio-based materials
Contexto Educativo
Citação
Editora
Elsevier B.V.