Effect of SBA-15-CEO on properties of potato starch film modified by low-temperature plasma

In order to improve the properties of potato starch film, cinnamon essential oil (CEO) encapsulated with mesoporous nano-silica (SBA-15) was added to the film and the potato starch dispersion was modified by low-temperature plasma (LTP). The effects of SBA-15-CEO on the physical, mechanical, antioxidant and antifungal properties of the film were investigated. Results revealed that the addition of SBA-15-CEO significantly improved the film properties. The water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) decreased from 14.01g/(m2⋅h) to 12.75g/(m2⋅h) with increasing concentrations of SBA-15-CEO. When 0.4 g/100 mL SBA-15-CEO was added, the oxygen transmittance rate (OTR) decreased from 8.113 × 10−15cm2s−1Pa−1 to 3.017 × 10−15cm2s−1Pa−1. The tensile strength (TS) and elongation at break (EB) reached maximum values when the dosage of SBA-15-CEO was 0.4 g/100 mL. The zeta potential (ZP) of the colloid solutions initially decreased and subsequently increased, corresponding to a minimum colloid solution ZP (0.947 mV) at 0.4 g/100 mL SBA-15-CEO, and a maximum (2.55 mV) at 0.8 g/100 mL SBA-15-CEO. Furthermore, the films with SBA-15-CEO exhibited antifungal and antioxidant activity. Moreover, the aggregation of SBA-15-CEO decreased with the addition of 0.4 g/100 mL, and the appearance of irregular and rough fractured surfaces were also alleviated. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy revealed SBA-15-CEO to increase the hydrogen bonding of the film. This work proved the potential of LTP-PS/SBA-15-CEO (i.e., potato starch/SBA-15-CEO film modified by LTP) as an antioxidant and antifungal packaging material.