Antimicrobial packaging film based on biodegradable CMC/PVA-zeolite doped with noble metal cations

The current study aimed to enhance the antimicrobial, mechanical and vapor transmission rate of food packaging film by producing films-based zeolite doped with silver (Ag+) or gold (Au+3) cations. Thus, nanopowders of sodium zeolites-A (ZA) and Faujazite-X (ZX) were hydrothermally synthesized using microwave. Sodium cations in both zeolites were exchanged with either Ag+ or Au+3. Films of CMC/PVA were then prepared to support film formation of zeolites containing Ag+ or Au+3. The obtained data indicated that the synthesized films from CMC/PVA possessed tensile strength equal to 2.05 kgf/mm2. This value was improved and reached to 8.69 kgf/mm2 upon the addition of ZA-Au. Finally, the water vapor transmission (WVTR) and gas transmission rate (GTR) of the prepared nanocomposite film enhanced with the addition of ZA-Au or ZA-Ag. Furthermore, the increase of ZA-Ag or ZA-Au concentration, augmented and boosted both mechanical and antimicrobial properties.