Nanoclay migration from food packaging materials (original) (raw)
Related papers
An experimental nanosilver coated low density polyethylene (LDPE) food packaging was incubated with food simulants using a conventional oven and tested for migration according to European Commission (2011) Regulation No. 10/2011. The commercial LDPE films were coated using a layer-by-layer (LbL) technique and three levels of silver (Ag) precursor concentration (0.5, 2 and 5% silver nitrate (AgNO3), respectively) were used to attach antimicrobial Ag. The experimental migration study conditions (time, temperature and food simulant) under conventional oven heating (10 days at 60°C, 2 h at 70 °C, 2 h at 60 °C or 10 days at 70 °C) were chosen to simulate worst case storage for over six months. In addition, migration was quantified under microwave heating. The total Ag migrant levels in the food simulants were quantified by inductively coupled plasma - atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). Mean migration levels obtained by ICP-AES for oven heating were in the range 0.01-1.75 mgl-1. Migration observed for microwave heating was found to be significantly higher when compared to oven heating for similar temperatures (100 °C) and identical exposure times (2 min). In each of the packaging materials and food simulants tested, the presence of nanoparticles (NPs) was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). On inspection of the migration observed under conventional oven heating, an important finding was the significant reduction in migration resulting from the increased Ag precursor concentration used to attach Ag on the LDPE LbL coated films. This observation merits further investigation into the LbL coating process used, as it suggests potential for process modifications to reduce migration. In turn, any reduction in NP migration below regulatory limits could greatly support the antimicrobial silver nanoparticle (AgNP)-LDPE LbL coated films being used as a food packaging material.
An experimental study on the migration into food simulants of TiN nanoparticles (NPs) incorporated at three different levels in low density polyethylene (LDPE) films was carried out under severe test conditions. It was shown that within the analytical sensitivity of the applied ICP-MS method no measurable migration of titanium was found at detection limits to 0.09–0.11 μg kg−1 for the food simulants 95% ethanol and iso-octane and 0.24 μg kg−1 for 3% acetic acid. In addition a migration model generally applicable for nanoparticles was established based on an existing migration model for conventional polymer additives to explore into the migration range below the experimentally accessible detection limits. The modeling results indicate that measurable migration may only occur for NPs up to approximately 3.5 nm in diameter but not for larger ones. Overall, the conclusion was drawn that due to the usual size, shape and aggregation of NPs in plastics nanocomposites nanomaterials are immo...
Multi-faceted migration in food contact polyethylene-based nanocomposite packaging
Applied Clay Science, 2020
The flourishing market of nanocomposite food packaging has raised concerns about the safety of these materials. While several works on this issue have been published in recent years, they main focus in these studies was found to be on the possible migration of the nanoparticle its constituents. However, thorough safety evaluation of these materials would not be realistic until the nano-packaging system would be regarded as a whole with all of its components and the interactions of all these components. This matter is specifically crucial in terms of the interaction of nanoparticles with the non-nano additives which are added during the packaging processing. As the toxicity of these processing additives is no less than the nanoparticles, the possible impact of the nanoparticles on the transfer properties of these substances could play a decisive role on the risk assessments of the nanocomposite for food application. This study is an attempt through a thorough analysis of nanocomposite risks in terms of the interactions of components and the resulting effects on the release of nanocomposite substances. In this regard a model nanocomposite of LLDPE and nanoclay which is also comprised of intercalants and some selective additives were put in contact with various food simulants were considered and the
Nanoclays in Food and Beverage Packaging
Journal of Nanomaterials
In this study, we present and discuss the technical benefits of using nanoclays as a promising property enhancer in organic polymers for food and beverage packaging. The incorporation of nanoclays can improve the thermal, mechanical, and barrier properties of a host polymer. Both natural hydrophilic and modified organophilic nanoclays provide unique characteristics to the host polymer depending on the selected applications. Besides the advantage of polymer reinforcement, various novel applications of nanoclays in food packaging have been suggested recently, such as control and release for active ingredients, antimicrobial agent, and carrier for the colorimetric indicator system. The existing migration studies discussing the transition from plastic to nanoclay packaging revealed that the diffused level of aluminum and silicon in the nanoclay packaging are within the limitation proposed in Council Directive 90/128/EEC (1990). Therefore, until now, there is no safety restriction in the...
Nanocomposites in food packaging applications and their risk assessment for health
Electronic physician, 2016
Nanotechnology has shown many advantages in different fields. As the uses of nanotechnology have progressed, it has been found to be a promising technology for the food packaging industry in the global market. It has proven capabilities that are valuable in packaging foods, including improved barriers; mechanical, thermal, and biodegradable properties; and applications in active and intelligent food packaging. Examples of the latter are anti-microbial agents and nanosensors, respectively. However, the use of nanocomposites in food packaging might be challenging due to the reduced particle size of nanomaterials and the fact that the chemical and physical characteristics of such tiny materials may be quite different from those of their macro-scale counterparts. In order to discuss the potential risks of nanoparticles for consumers, in addition to the quantification of data, a thorough investigation of their characteristics is required. Migration studies must be conducted to determine the amounts of nanomaterials released into the food matrices. In this article, different applications of nanocomposites in food packaging, migration issues, analyzing techniques, and the main concerns about their usage are discussed briefly.
Nanomaterials
The use of nanoadditives in food contact materials requires risk assessment to ensure consumers’ safety. The evaluation of health risk is based on the combination of two elements: hazard and exposure. For nanomaterials (NM) used as additives in nanocomposites, the exposure is directly linked to the level of migration or release of the NM into the food. In principle, appropriate methods for experimental determination and theoretical estimation of migration are available but need diligent considerations to avoid erroneous conclusions from the measured data. We propose a comprehensive test scheme based on these methods, starting with characterization of the nanomaterial itself and when incorporated in the polymer. These data form the basis for making a decision whether migration of the NM can be excluded by migration theoretical considerations or if experimental migration testing and/or abrasion testing for mechanical release should be carried out. Guidance to and considerations for ea...
Migration of Aluminum and Silicon from PET/Clay Nanocomposite Bottles into Acidic Food Simulant
Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET)/clay nanocomposite samples were prepared by melt blending PET and Cloisite 20A nanoparticles. A stretch blow-moulding machine was used to produce bottles from neat PET and PET nanocomposite. Tests were performed on the migration of aluminum and silicon from PET nanocomposite bottles into acidic food simulant. The samples were stored at room temperature (about 25 C) and 45 C for time durations ranging from 7 to 90 days. A specific surface of sheets (prepared from PET/clay nanocomposite) immersed in acidic food simulant, and two-sided migration of Al and Si was investigated. According to X-ray diffraction analysis, the nanoclays show intercalated structure in the PET matrix. Transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy micrographs displayed both intercalation and exfoliation morphology for PET/clay nanocomposites. Inductively coupled plasma was used to quantify amounts of Al and Si that had migrated into the acidic food simulant. It was observed that the migration process is dependent on storage time and temperature, and the molar ratio of aluminum and silicon in the acidic aqueous solution (Al/Si) aq to the ratio in the solid phase of prepared nanocomposites (Al/Si) solid was about 23% higher in the samples stored at 45 C.
Nanocomposite Materials for Food Packaging Applications: Characterization and Safety Evaluation
Food Engineering Reviews, 2015
Food packaging requires long shelf life and the monitoring of safety and quality based on international standards. In the past decade, polymer nanocomposites have emerged as a new class of food packaging materials, because they have several advantages, such as enhanced mechanical, thermal, and barrier properties. The larger surface area of nanoparticles compared with their microscale counterparts favours filler-matrix interactions and the performance of the resulting material. A new technology is accepted by the community once it has been tested for its effects on health. There have been some studies on the migration of nanoparticles from packaging material into food/food simulants during storage. It is very important to evaluate the safety of nanocomposite packaging materials used for food products. This review summarizes the characteristics and properties of nanocomposite packaging materials along with their safety problems for food consumers.
Migration of Various Nanoparticles into Food Samples: A Review
Foods, 2021
Nanotechnology has provided new opportunities for the food industry with its applications in food packaging. The addition of nanoparticles, such as clay, silver and copper, can improve the mechanical and antimicrobial properties of food packaging. However, nanoparticles may have an adverse impact on human health. This has led to legislative and regulatory concerns. The inhibitory effects of nano packaging on different microorganisms, such as Salmonella, E. coli, and molds, have been studied. Nanoparticles, like other materials, may have a diverse set of properties that need to be determined. In this review, different features of silver, clay and copper nanoparticles, such as their anti-microbial, cell toxicity, genetic toxicity, mechanical properties, and migration, are critically evaluated in the case of food packaging. Specifically, the viewpoints of WHO, FDA, and ESFA, concerning the nano-silver application in food packaging, are discussed as well.