Novel Antibacterial Food Packaging Based on Chitosan Loaded ZnO Nano Particles Prepared by Green Synthesis from Nettle Leaf Extract

New nonstoichiometric polyelectrolyte complex was prepared based on chitosan (CS) and Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and the addition of ZnO nano particles prepared by green synthesis fromNettle leaf extract for increasing the antibacterial properties. The composites were prepared in different mass ratios and the physicochemical properties of the complexes were investigated by means of scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, FTIR analyzer, water absorption test, UV-Vis analyzer and thermal analyzer. The results indicated that the slow dropwise addition of CMC to chitosan allowed elaborating either anionic or cationic particles in the size range of 35.5-69.7 nm. The water uptake and the ash percentage of the nano composites increase by increasing the amount of CMC and the transparency and the opacity of Chitosan:CMC (75:25) is the best. The highest antibacterial activity related to the synthesised composite without nano ZnO forEscherichia coliand the best result achieved in prepared nano composite and adding nano ZnO (PCC3/ZnO) in Staphylococcus aureus medium.

Automated summary

A new nonstoichiometric polyelectrolyte complex was prepared using chitosan and carboxymethyl cellulose, with the addition of zinc oxide nanoparticles synthesized from nettle leaf extract to enhance antibacterial properties. The physicochemical properties were evaluated using various analytical techniques, showing that increasing CMC content led to higher water uptake and ash percentage, with the best transparency and opacity observed in Chitosan:CMC (75:25) ratio. The highest antibacterial activity was found in the composite without nano ZnO for Escherichia coli, while the addition of nano ZnO (PCC3/ZnO) in Staphylococcus aureus medium resulted in the best overall performance.