Sakdapipanich Jitladda, Rodgerd Phawasoot, Sakdapipanich Natdanai
Department of Chemistry and Center of Excellence for Innovation in Chemistry (PERCH-CIC), Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Salaya Campus, Salaya, Phutthamonthon District, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand.
Mahidol Wittayanusorn School, Salaya, Phutthamonthon District, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand.
Polymers (Basel). 2022 Apr 27;14(9):1794. doi: 10.3390/polym14091794.
Macca carbon (MC) powder, a biomass derived from macadamia nut cultivation that emits far-infrared (FIR) radiation, was incorporated into low-density polyethylene (LDPE) by melt-compounding and subsequent melt-extrusion operations. Optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, thermal gravitational analysis, mechanical properties, FIR emission power, barrier properties, transmission properties, antimicrobial activity assays, and storage tests were used to evaluate the manufactured LDPE/MC composite viability sheets for antimicrobial packaging applications. The physical properties and antibacterial activity of composite films were significantly correlated with the amount of MC powder used. The higher the MC powder content in the LDPE/MC composite film, the better the FIR emission ability. Only the MC powder at 0.5% by weight displayed adequate fundamental film characteristics, antibacterial activity, and storage performance, allowing lettuce and strawberries to remain fresh for more than 7 and 5 days, respectively, outside the refrigerator. This study demonstrates that FIR composites made from MC powder are a distinct and potential packaging material for future application in the food industry.
澳洲坚果炭（MC）粉是一种源自澳洲坚果种植的生物质，能发射远红外线（FIR），通过熔融共混和随后的熔融挤出操作将其掺入低密度聚乙烯（LDPE）中。采用光学显微镜、扫描电子显微镜、差示扫描量热法、热重分析、力学性能、FIR发射功率、阻隔性能、传输性能、抗菌活性测定和储存测试来评估所制备的用于抗菌包装应用的LDPE/MC复合活性片材。复合薄膜的物理性能和抗菌活性与所用MC粉的量显著相关。LDPE/MC复合薄膜中MC粉含量越高，FIR发射能力越好。只有重量比为0.5%的MC粉表现出足够的基本薄膜特性、抗菌活性和储存性能，使生菜和草莓分别在冰箱外保持新鲜超过7天和5天。本研究表明，由MC粉制成的FIR复合材料是一种独特且有潜力的包装材料，未来可应用于食品工业。
