Work

Optimization of Chitosan/Modified Chitosan–Silver(I) Composite Film and Application to Strawberries

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Fresh fruits are prone to spoilage due to microbial contamination and moisture loss, highlighting the need for effective packaging materials with strong barrier and antimicrobial functions. In this work, a bilayer composite film with antimicrobial and preservative properties was fabricated using the solution casting method, consisting of an inner chitosan (CS) layer and an outer complex layer of chitosan-2-pyridinecarboxaldehyde-Ag(I) (CS-PCA-Ag(I)). Preparation conditions were optimized via single-factor experiments combined with response surface methodology. The resulting composite film showed significantly enhanced mechanical properties, with tensile strength of 38.52 ± 2.07 MPa and elongation at break of 67.32 ± 1.47%, as well as a low water vapor permeability of 2.81 × 10−7 g·m−1·h−1·Pa−1. It also exhibited strong antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, with inhibition zone diameters of 19.8 ± 0.3 mm and 15.6 ± 0.2 mm, respectively. Strawberry preservation tests demonstrated that the CS/CS-PCA-Ag(I) film effectively suppressed microbial growth and reduced fruit weight loss (8.27 ± 0.42% after 5 days), thereby extending the shelf life of strawberries. Cytotoxicity evaluation and silver ion migration analysis further confirmed the film’s good biocompatibility and safety. Collectively, the CS/CS-PCA-Ag(I) composite film holds considerable promise for fresh food preservation applications.

Source: Foods

DOI: 10.3390/foods15132312

Authors: Jinhong Huang, Yiping Wang, Mengyuan Pang, Chengpeng Li, Pengzhi Hong, Zhang Hu

Institution: Guangdong Ocean University

Language: English

Topic: Nanocomposite Films for Food Packaging

Subfield: Biomaterials

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Zero hunger, Responsible consumption and production

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,499