Laponite vs. Montmorillonite as Eugenol Nanocarriers for Low Density Polyethylene Active Packaging Films

Although a lot of recent research revealed advantages of novel biopolymers’ implementation as active food packaging polymers, there is not an equivalent effort from industry to use such films, probably because of the required cost to change the supply chain and the equipment. This study investigates...

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Main Authors: Achilleas Kechagias, Constantinos E. Salmas, Nikolaos Chalmpes, Areti A. Leontiou, Michael A. Karakassides, Emmanuel P. Giannelis, Aris E. Giannakas
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:Nanomaterials
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/14/23/1938
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author Achilleas Kechagias
Constantinos E. Salmas
Nikolaos Chalmpes
Areti A. Leontiou
Michael A. Karakassides
Emmanuel P. Giannelis
Aris E. Giannakas
author_facet Achilleas Kechagias
Constantinos E. Salmas
Nikolaos Chalmpes
Areti A. Leontiou
Michael A. Karakassides
Emmanuel P. Giannelis
Aris E. Giannakas
author_sort Achilleas Kechagias
collection DOAJ
description Although a lot of recent research revealed advantages of novel biopolymers’ implementation as active food packaging polymers, there is not an equivalent effort from industry to use such films, probably because of the required cost to change the supply chain and the equipment. This study investigates the use of two natural abundant nanoclays, laponite (Lap) and montmorillonite (Mt), as eugenol slow-release carriers for enhancing the functionality of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) active packaging films. The target is to combine the spirit of the circular economy with the existent technology and the broadly used materials to develop a novel attractive product for active food packaging applications. Utilizing a vacuum-assisted adsorption method, eugenol was successfully intercalated into Lap and Mt nanoclays, forming EG@Lap and EG@Mt nanohybrids. Testing results confirmed effective integration and dispersion of the nanohybrids within the LDPE matrix. The most promising final film seems to be the LDPE with 15% <i>w</i>/<i>w</i> EG@Lap nanohybrid which exhibited a higher release rate (k<sub>2</sub> = 5.29 × 10<sup>−4</sup> s<sup>−1</sup>) for temperatures ≤70 °C, similar mechanical properties, a significantly improved water barrier (D<sub>wv</sub> = 11.7 × 10<sup>−5</sup> cm<sup>2</sup>·s<sup>−1</sup>), and a slightly improved oxygen barrier (Pe<sub>O2</sub> = 2.03 × 10<sup>−8</sup> cm<sup>2</sup>·s<sup>−1</sup>) compared with neat LDPE. Antimicrobial and sensory tests on fresh minced pork showed two days’ shelf-life extension compared to pure LDPE and one more day compared to LDPE with 15% <i>w</i>/<i>w</i> EG@Mt nanohybrid.
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spelling doaj-art-8b3ae63bfdee4b75a1a305fd9f89e1e62025-08-20T01:55:37ZengMDPI AGNanomaterials2079-49912024-12-011423193810.3390/nano14231938Laponite vs. Montmorillonite as Eugenol Nanocarriers for Low Density Polyethylene Active Packaging FilmsAchilleas Kechagias0Constantinos E. Salmas1Nikolaos Chalmpes2Areti A. Leontiou3Michael A. Karakassides4Emmanuel P. Giannelis5Aris E. Giannakas6Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Patras, 30100 Agrinio, GreeceDepartment of Material Science and Engineering, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, GreeceDepartment of Materials Science and Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USADepartment of Food Science and Technology, University of Patras, 30100 Agrinio, GreeceDepartment of Material Science and Engineering, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, GreeceDepartment of Materials Science and Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USADepartment of Food Science and Technology, University of Patras, 30100 Agrinio, GreeceAlthough a lot of recent research revealed advantages of novel biopolymers’ implementation as active food packaging polymers, there is not an equivalent effort from industry to use such films, probably because of the required cost to change the supply chain and the equipment. This study investigates the use of two natural abundant nanoclays, laponite (Lap) and montmorillonite (Mt), as eugenol slow-release carriers for enhancing the functionality of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) active packaging films. The target is to combine the spirit of the circular economy with the existent technology and the broadly used materials to develop a novel attractive product for active food packaging applications. Utilizing a vacuum-assisted adsorption method, eugenol was successfully intercalated into Lap and Mt nanoclays, forming EG@Lap and EG@Mt nanohybrids. Testing results confirmed effective integration and dispersion of the nanohybrids within the LDPE matrix. The most promising final film seems to be the LDPE with 15% <i>w</i>/<i>w</i> EG@Lap nanohybrid which exhibited a higher release rate (k<sub>2</sub> = 5.29 × 10<sup>−4</sup> s<sup>−1</sup>) for temperatures ≤70 °C, similar mechanical properties, a significantly improved water barrier (D<sub>wv</sub> = 11.7 × 10<sup>−5</sup> cm<sup>2</sup>·s<sup>−1</sup>), and a slightly improved oxygen barrier (Pe<sub>O2</sub> = 2.03 × 10<sup>−8</sup> cm<sup>2</sup>·s<sup>−1</sup>) compared with neat LDPE. Antimicrobial and sensory tests on fresh minced pork showed two days’ shelf-life extension compared to pure LDPE and one more day compared to LDPE with 15% <i>w</i>/<i>w</i> EG@Mt nanohybrid.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/14/23/1938laponitemontmorilloniteeugenolLDPEnanohybridsactive packaging
spellingShingle Achilleas Kechagias
Constantinos E. Salmas
Nikolaos Chalmpes
Areti A. Leontiou
Michael A. Karakassides
Emmanuel P. Giannelis
Aris E. Giannakas
Laponite vs. Montmorillonite as Eugenol Nanocarriers for Low Density Polyethylene Active Packaging Films
Nanomaterials
laponite
montmorillonite
eugenol
LDPE
nanohybrids
active packaging
title Laponite vs. Montmorillonite as Eugenol Nanocarriers for Low Density Polyethylene Active Packaging Films
title_full Laponite vs. Montmorillonite as Eugenol Nanocarriers for Low Density Polyethylene Active Packaging Films
title_fullStr Laponite vs. Montmorillonite as Eugenol Nanocarriers for Low Density Polyethylene Active Packaging Films
title_full_unstemmed Laponite vs. Montmorillonite as Eugenol Nanocarriers for Low Density Polyethylene Active Packaging Films
title_short Laponite vs. Montmorillonite as Eugenol Nanocarriers for Low Density Polyethylene Active Packaging Films
title_sort laponite vs montmorillonite as eugenol nanocarriers for low density polyethylene active packaging films
topic laponite
montmorillonite
eugenol
LDPE
nanohybrids
active packaging
url https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/14/23/1938
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