Schiff base synergized with protonation of PEI to achieve smart antibacteria of nanocellulose packaging films

Dongcheng Zou; Xinwang Li; Min Wu; Jian Yang; Weifang Qin; Zhilong Zhou; Jiacheng Yang

doi:10.1016/j.carbpol.2023.121136

Schiff base synergized with protonation of PEI to achieve smart antibacteria of nanocellulose packaging films

Carbohydr Polym. 2023 Oct 15:318:121136. doi: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2023.121136. Epub 2023 Jun 21.

Authors

Dongcheng Zou¹, Xinwang Li², Min Wu³, Jian Yang⁴, Weifang Qin⁵, Zhilong Zhou⁶, Jiacheng Yang⁷

Affiliations

¹ College of Light Industry and Food Engineering, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China. Electronic address: 2005170247@st.gxu.edu.cn.
² College of Light Industry and Food Engineering, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China. Electronic address: 2005170239@st.gxu.edu.cn.
³ College of Light Industry and Food Engineering, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; Guangxi Key Laboratory of Clean Pulp & Papermaking and Pollution Control, Nanning 530004, China. Electronic address: wumin@gxu.edu.cn.
⁴ College of Light Industry and Food Engineering, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China. Electronic address: jianyang@st.gxu.edu.cn.
⁵ College of Light Industry and Food Engineering, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China. Electronic address: 2005170306@st.gxu.edu.cn.
⁶ College of Light Industry and Food Engineering, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China. Electronic address: 2016391054@st.gxu.edu.cn.
⁷ College of Light Industry and Food Engineering, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China. Electronic address: 2005170245@st.gxu.edu.cn.

PMID: 37479427
DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2023.121136

Abstract

Microbial growth and reproduction can cause food spoilage. Developing the controlled release packaging films for food is an ideal solution. In this study, polyethyleneimine (PEI) was grafted to cellulose nanofibers (CNF) films by Schiff base, and when the CNF/PEI films were stimulated by pH, PEI released from the CNF/PEI films due to Schiff base hydrolysis, improving the antibacterial efficiency of PEI. Stimulated by acid with pH of 4, the PEI cumulative release rate of the CNF/PEI₈₀₀ and the CNF/PEI₂₀₀₀ films reached to 92.90 % and 87.28 %, respectively. At the same time, the amino groups of PEI protonated by obtaining H⁺, the charge density increased, and PEI molecular chains extended, enhancing the antibacterial activity of films. The Zeta potential value on the surface of the CNF/PEI film increased with the decrease of pH value. Schiff base synergized with protonation of PEI to achieve smart antibacteria of CNF packaging films. The antibacterial rates of the film against L. monocytogenes and E. coli were 94.7 % and 90.6 % at pH 4, but 29.5 % and 23.6 % at pH 8, respectively. The developed films also had good barrier properties of oxygen, visible light and mechanical properties, and had an attractive application prospect in food preservation to control release of antibacterial agent.

Keywords: Nanocellulose packaging film; PEI protonation; Schiff base; Smart antibacteria; pH-response.

MeSH terms

Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
Cellulose
Escherichia coli*
Polyethyleneimine*
Product Packaging
Schiff Bases

Substances

Polyethyleneimine
Schiff Bases
Anti-Bacterial Agents
Cellulose