Preparation, characterization and antibacterial applications of ZnO-nanoparticles coated polyethylene films for food packaging.

The present work describes the preparation of ZnO nanoparticles loaded starch-coated polyethylene film. The presence of ZnO nanoparticles was confirmed by surface plasmon resonance (SPR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The ZnO loaded film was tested for its biocidal action against model bacteria Escherichia coli using zone inhibition and killing kinetics of bacterial growth methods. This newly developed material bears potential to be used as food packaging material to prevent food stuff from bacterial contamination.