Low-density Polyethylene Films Loaded by Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles as a New Active Packaging System against Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Fresh Calf Minced Meat

Antibacterial packaging is introduced as a new method to prevent microbial food spoilage. Antibacterial effects of TiO2, ZnO and mixed TiO2-ZnO nanoparticle-coated low-density polyethylene (LDPE) films on Escherichia coli PTCC1330 were investigated. Bactericidal efficiency of 0.5%, 1% and 2% TiO2 and ZnO nanoparticles and also 1% mixed TiO2-ZnO nanoparticles with ratios of 25/75, 50/50 and 75/25 were tested under ultraviolet (UV) and fluorescent lights at two states: films alone and fresh calf minced meat packed. Maximum colony-forming unit (CFU) reduction of 99.8% and 99.7% were obtained using 1% and 2% ZnO nanoparticle-coated LDPE film under fluorescent light for films alone as well as 99.8% and 99.6% for fresh calf minced meat packed. 90.3% and 51.8% CFU reduction were recorded for 1% TiO2 nanoparticle-coated LDPE films in the presence of UV light at direct contact with bacteria and fresh calf minced meat packed, respectively. Maximum CFU reductions of 96% and 64.1% were obtained using 50/50 ratio of TiO2/ZnO nanoparticles at the presence of UV light for film alone and fresh calf minced meat packed, respectively. ZnO nanoparticle-coated LDPE films were identified as the best case to improve shelf life and prevent E. coli growth in fresh calf minced meat. Copyright (C) 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.