Preparation and characterization of chitosan/halloysite nanotubes composite film with ethylene scavenging and gas resistance for active food packaging
Kun Wang, Linhuanyi Wu, Yongshi Li, Hui Li
Abstract
Abstract In this study, the halloysite nanotubes (HNT) were incorporated into chitosan (CS) to prepare CS/HNT composite film by solution‐casting method. Different HNT contents were studied in relation to the morphological, optical, mechanical, barrier and thermal properties of CS/HNT composite films. After incorporation of HNT, the CS/HNT composite films showed improvement in UV light shielding, barrier against water vapor and oxygen, mechanical strength and thermal stability as well as achievement of ethylene scavenging property. Especially, when 5 wt% HNT were added, more homogenous distribution of HNT in CS matrix was observed by SEM, resulting in 169.9% increase in tensile strength, 52.94% decline in oxygen permeability and 4.07 times enhancement in the ethylene scavenging capacity at 100 kPa pressure compared with pure CS film. Moreover, the obtained film with 5 wt% HNT effectively maintained the freshness of bananas and cherry tomatoes under ambient conditions. This study demonstrated that the CS/HNT composite films could be used as active food packaging material to extend the shelf‐life of fresh fruits and vegetables.