Nano cellulose packaging for increasing the shelf life of food Products

Abstract

Abstract Studies were carried out to develop eco-friendly Packaging material for extended shelf-life of food products. Nano cellulose (NC) from Maize Cob was used as filler in the synthesis of Nanopolymers enriched with Thyme oil, Cinnamon oil, clove oil, and Rosemary oil. Characterization of nanopolymer coated bag and their effect on enhancing the shelf-life of food products in different temperature condition was also studied. Nanocellulose was extracted from the maize cob using steam coupled chemical treatment. The average size of NC extracted from the maize cob was found to be around 20–100 nm when observed under Scanning Electron Micrscope (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM). The polymer based nano-films were developed using NC (1%), Poly Lactic Acid (PLA) (7%), Glycerol Triacetate (3%) and the nano polymers were enriched separately with thyme oil, Cinnamon oil, Clove oil and Rosemary oil at a concentration of 5000 ppm. The functional characterization of the nanocomposites was done using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) and the developed nanocomposite coated sheet showed that the peaks corresponding to the aromatic groups were obtained at 2981cm− 1. The peaks of the cellulose were present at 1215 cm− 1. The Triacetin compounds were present at the range of 1063 cm− 1. The X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) pattern of the Maize cob, Cellulose and Nanocellulose exhibited strong peaks at 2θ ≈ 22.44°, 22.49°, and 22.03° respectively. The particle size of 213.5nm and zeta of -34mV was observed. TGA curve has shown that all the nanocomposites films got degraded at a temperature of 400°C. Approximately 95% of the samples degraded thermally above 360°C.The contact angle of uncoated paper sheet was found to be hydrophilic in nature with the angle of 78o and the different essential oil based nanocomposite coated sheet of thyme, cinnamon, clove and rosemary exhibited the angle of 115.6°, 100.1°, 95.1° and 88.9° which are hydrophobic in nature. The insect repellency test was carried out for nanocomposite coated and uncoated bags and the result show that nanocomposite bags repel the insects with the efficiency of more than 80% and the uncoated bags with efficiency of 20%. The antifungal test was carried out for different essential oil based nanocomposites against Fusarium spp and the nanocomposites show good antifungal property with 100% inhibition zone.