Abstract
Chitosan (Cs)-based silver-doped titanium dioxide (Cs-AgTiO2) films were synthesized intending their end-use application in food packaging. AgTiO2 NPs were successfully prepared by using electrochemical synthesis. Cs-AgTiO2 films were synthesized by using the solution casting technique. Various advanced instrumental techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) were used for the characterization of Cs-AgTiO2 films. Intending their food packaging applications, samples were further investigated to obtain varied biological results including antibacterial (Escherichia coli), antifungal (Candida albicans), and nematicidal activities. Ampicillin (E. coli) and fluconazole (C. albicans) were used as models. FT-IR and XRD confirm the structural modification of Cs. IR peak shifting was observed, which confirmed that AgTiO2 interacted with chitosan via amide I and amide II groups. This confirmed the stability of the filler in the polymer matrix. SEM also confirmed the successful incorporation of AgTiO2 NPs. Cs-AgTiO2 (3%) shows excellent antibacterial (16.51 ± 2.10 μg/mL) and antifungal (15.67 ± 2.14 μg/mL) activities. Nematicidal assays were also done, and Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) was used as a model organism. Cs-AgTiO2 NPs (3%) exhibited excellent nematicidal potential (64.20 ± 1.23 μg/mL), which could make these films a suitable novel material to control nematode spread in food.