Incorporation of silver nanoparticles into a cellulose matrix for preparing package materials for foodstuffs

The paper deals with incorporation of silver/silver oxide nanoparticles into a cellulose matrix with the aim to obtain package materials for prolonging the shelf life of foodstuffs. The optimum parameters of preparation of silver nanoparticles (initial concentrations of silver nitrate and glucose, pH) were determined. The optical absorption spectra of silver sols were obtained. Different methods were used for depositing silver/silver oxide nanoparticles onto the polymer and film. The nanoparticles were studied by atomic force microscopy. The toxicity of the polymers and films with the incorporated silver/silver oxide nanoparticles was evaluated by variation of the optical density of Chlorella alga culture and by the mortality of Daphnia. The polymers and films with silver nanoparticles deposited using ultrasound are the safest and can be used as packaging material for foodstuffs.