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Melt Production and Antimicrobial Efficiency of Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE)-Silver Nanocomposite Film

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Abstract

Colloidal silver nanoparticles with a size of 5.5 ± 1.1 nm were prepared by chemical reduction using polyethylene glycol (PEG). Silver nanoparticles were incorporated into low-density polyethylene (LDPE) by melt blending and subsequent hot pressing at 140 °C to produce nanocomposite film with an average thickness of 0.7 mm. PEG was added at 5% weight of polymer as a compatibilizer agent in order to prevent agglomeration and provide uniform distribution of nanoparticles in polymer matrix. Antimicrobial activity of silver nanocomposites against Escherichia coli ATCC 13706, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC12600, and Candida albicans ATCC10231 was evaluated by semi-qualitative agar diffusion test and quantitative dynamic shake flask test. Mechanical properties of nanocomposites were not significantly different from silver-free LDPE-containing PEG films (p > 0.05), and silver nanoparticles did not form chemical bonding with the polymer. LDPE-silver nanocomposite samples by more than 6.69 ppm silver nanoparticles showed considerable antimicrobial clear zone. LDPE-silver nanocomposite affected growth kinetic parameters of the examined bacteria and is more efficient on S. aureus than E. coli. Polyethylene-silver nanocomposites containing 22.64 ppm silver nanoparticles could reduce 57.8% growth rate and 23.3% maximum bacterial concentration and increase 35.8% lag time of S. aureus. This study shows the potential use of LDPE-silver nanocomposite as antimicrobial active film. Antimicrobial efficiency of silver nanocomposite depends on silver nanoparticles concentration; however, high level of silver nanoparticles may lead to weakening of mechanical properties.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Food Technology, Islamic Azad University, Damghan Branch, Damghan, Iran

    Maryam Jokar

  2. Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University Putra Malaysia (UPM), Serdang, 43400, Selangor, Malaysia

    Nor Azowa Ibrahim

  3. Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University Putra Malaysia (UPM), Serdang, 43400, Selangor, Malaysia

    Luqman Chuah Abdullah

  4. Department of Food Technology, Faculty of Food Science, University Putra Malaysia (UPM), Serdang, 43400, Selangor, Malaysia

    Russly Abdul Rahman & Chin Ping Tan

Authors
  1. Maryam Jokar
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  2. Russly Abdul Rahman
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  3. Nor Azowa Ibrahim
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  4. Luqman Chuah Abdullah
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  5. Chin Ping Tan
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Correspondence to Russly Abdul Rahman.

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Jokar, M., Abdul Rahman, R., Ibrahim, N.A. et al. Melt Production and Antimicrobial Efficiency of Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE)-Silver Nanocomposite Film. Food Bioprocess Technol 5, 719–728 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11947-010-0329-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11947-010-0329-1

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