Fabrication and characterization of soluble soybean polysaccharide and nanorod-rich ZnO bionanocomposite.

Abstract In this study, a novel bionanocomposite film was prepared by the casting method. Different concentrations [i.e., 0%, 1%, 2%, and 4% (w/w)] of nanorod-rich ZnO (ZnO-nr) were incorporated into soluble soybean polysaccharide (SSPS). The mechanical, thermophysical, antimicrobial, and barrier properties of the resultant bionanocomposite films were evaluated. Incorporation of 4% ZnO-nr into the SSPS matrix reduced water vapor permeability from 8.19 × 10 −11 to 5.25 × 10 −11 (g m −1  s −1  Pa −1 ) and oxygen permeability from 223 to 127 (cm 3  μm m −2  day −1  atm −1 ). The elongation at break and heat seal strength of the films increased by over 20%. The moisture content, glass transition temperature, and tensile strength of the SSPS films significantly decreased by ZnO-nr incorporation. SSPS/ZnO-nr (4%) films showed 0% UV transmittance and were able to absorb over 70% of the near-infrared spectrum. The SSPS/ZnO-nr films exhibited excellent antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus . In summary, ZnO-nr is an excellent potential filler for SSPS-based films used as packaging materials.