Assessing the Carboxymethylcellulose Copper-Montmorillonite Nanocomposite for Controlling the Infection of Erwinia carotovora in Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

Abstract

A novel antimicrobial formulation based on carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) spray-coated Cu2+ intercalated montmorillonite (MMT) nanocomposite material was prepared and its morphology, internal structure, and bonding interactions were studied. Meanwhile, the antibacterial efficacy and release behavior of Cu2+ was also determined. PXRD patterns indicated the intercalation of Cu2+, while FTIR spectra and TGA traces confirmed the association of Cu−MMT with CMC. SEM study revealed the improvement of nanocomposites by CMC, without disturbing the clay structure. TEM and EDAX studies indicated the distribution of Cu (copper) throughout the composite. In vitro antibacterial assays performed with Erwinia carotovora revealed effective bacterial growth suppression, indicating the potential of this material in controlling soft rot of potatoes (Solanum tuberosum); also observed was a connection between growth inhibition and concentration of CMC spray coats indicating a positive relationship between Cu2+ release and concentration of the CMC coatings. The activity pattern of the nanocomposite displayed a significant degree of sustained-release behavior.