Migration assessment of silver from nanosilver spray coated low density polyethylene or polyester films into milk

The release of silver (Ag) from an experimental nanosilver spray coating on surface treated polyester (PT) and low density polyethylene (LDPE) packaging into milk was determined. Spherical nanoparticles (NPs) with a high electron density and crystalline face centred cubic structure characteristic of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were characterised in milk by cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Total Ag migration into milk over time was determined by inductively coupled plasma - atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). This study identified coating treatments such as the diblock copolymer, polystyrene-block-polyethylene oxide (PS-b-PEO), which can be used to reduce potential migration.