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Fabrication and Evaluation of Active and Intelligent Food Packaging Films Based on Natural Polymers Containing Silica Nanoparticles, Quantum Dots, and Plant Extracts

Bagri, Fatemeh | 2025

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  1. Type of Document: Ph.D. Dissertation
  2. Language: Farsi
  3. Document No: 58584 (48)
  4. University: Sharif University of Technology
  5. Department: Institute for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology
  6. Advisor(s): Pircheraghi, Gholamreza; Imani, Mohammad; Whan Rhim, Jong; Douraghi, Masoumeh
  7. Abstract:
  8. Growing global concerns about the safety and environmental impact of synthetic plastics have accelerated the search for natural and biodegradable alternatives in food packaging. This study focused on the design and evaluation of multifunctional, active, and intelligent packaging films based on biopolymers incorporated with functionalized nanoparticles and natural bioactive compounds. In the first stage, silica nanoparticles obtained from rice husk (SiNPs) were loaded with oak extract (OE) and integrated into quince seed mucilage/alginate (QSM/Alg) films. The nanocomposite films containing 5 wt% OE@SiNP exhibited excellent antioxidant activity (100% in ABTS and 40.9% in DPPH assays), strong UV-blocking ability (96.5% UV-A and 99.7% UV-B), increased hydrophobicity (contact angle from 68.5° to 95.2°), and potent antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus. In minced meat packaging, these films effectively preserved quality and safety for 20 days at 4 °C. In the second stage, intelligent films based on carrageenan/gelatin (Car/Gel) were developed by incorporating red cabbage extract (anthocyanin-rich) and silica nanoparticles loaded with licorice root–derived carbon quantum dots (LCD@SiNPs). The films exhibited visible color changes in response to pH shifts caused by volatile amines, indicating high spoilage sensitivity. They also showed improved functional properties, including strong antioxidant activity (100% ABTS, 89.2% DPPH), effective antibacterial effects, reduced water vapor permeability, and enhanced freshness monitoring in shrimp packaging. In the final stage, active Gel/PVA films containing sulfur quantum dot–functionalized silica nanoparticles (SQD@SiNPs) were fabricated. Addition of 1 wt% SQD@SiNPs improved tensile strength and Young’s modulus, enhanced antioxidant capacity (100% ABTS), and exhibited strong antibacterial activity against Salmonella enteritica and Listeria monocytogenes. Cherry tomato packaging confirmed their efficacy in maintaining fruit quality for 24 days at 4 °C. Overall, this work demonstrates that bio-based nanocomposite films, reinforced with functionalized nanoparticles and natural bioactives, offer promising applications as multifunctional active and intelligent packaging systems for extending shelf life and ensuring the safety of food products
  9. Keywords:
  10. Active Packaging ; Silica Nanoparticles ; Anthocyanins ; Quantum Dot ; Smart Packaging ; Natural Antioxidant ; Mucilage ; Polymer Film

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