Amal M. Metak, Shahrzad S. Connolly & Stephen N. Connolly

 

School of Science & Engineering

Teesside University

Borough Road, Middlesbrough, TS1 3BA, UK

A.Metak@tees.ac.uk

 

Abstract

 

       Nanomaterials have the potential to contribute significantly to food processing industry by enhancing the durability of perishable products and lowering energy consumption through reduction of waste generated, post manufacturing and packaging steps. However, there is an increasing concern over the level of nanoparticles introduced into the environment and the consequences of the accumulation of these materials in human and animal organs. There is also a growing body of evidence that these particles affect the ecosystem at all levels and may alter the natural balance of microorganisms.

The increasing application of nanomaterials polymer particularly in the food industry together with the limited understanding of the cumulative outcome of the effect of nanomaterials and nanocomposites has raised concerns within the governments and the public regarding the perceived paucity of regulations related to these materials.

 

       In the present study, the nanocomposites food packaging type Nano-silver were investigated and characterized. A qualitative analysis with Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) has confirmed the presence of Nano-silver molecules on the surface and in the bulk of 1.13 % in the polymer samples and 2.32 of Titanium dioxide. An elemental mapping analysis was performed by Energy-Dispersive X-ray (EDS) and XRD technique. Therefore migration assessment of Nano-silver packaging was carried out in assays involving a wide range of food materials. The preliminary data pertains to insignificance amounts of silver in the selected food matrices .The analysis was based upon the relevant European safety Directives and involved the application of Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS) and Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS).

 

Key words: Nanocomposite, Nano-silver, Food packaging.

 

POSTER presentation between 29th August and 2nd September 2011

You need to be a member of The International NanoScience Community - Nanopaprika.eu to add comments!

Join The International NanoScience Community - Nanopaprika.eu

Comments are closed.

Comments

  • Dear Amal M. Metak

     

    The work was very beautiful and the equipments were excellent.

     

    King regards

This reply was deleted.