In the present work cassava starch/agar Ag and ZnO nanocomposite films were prepared by the solution casting method. The structural, physical and antimicrobial properties of the nanocomposite films were studied as a function of the concentration of Ag and ZnO nanoparticles. The results of the thermogravimetric analysis showed 8-15% degradation of both the nanocomposite films at 150°C endorsing the thermal stability of the films. Scanning electron microscopic analysis reveals the uniform blending of Ag and ZnO nanoparticles with a starch/agar matrix with tiny waves like appearance on the surface. The incorporation of Ag and ZnO nanoparticles in the film was found to reduce the moisture content, water solubility and water vapour permeability with increase in the concentration of Ag and ZnO nanoparticles. The growth kinetics study of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus in the presence of Ag and ZnO blended nanocomposite films showed promising results especially against Gram-negative P. aeruginosa. Thus, the film synthesised in the present study bears the potential to be used as active packaging material to prevent food from bacterial contamination and spoilage.

中文翻译：

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用于食品包装应用的淀粉/琼脂纳米复合薄膜的合成与表征。

在目前的工作中，木薯淀粉/琼脂银和氧化锌纳米复合薄膜是通过溶液流延法制备的。研究了纳米复合膜的结构、物理和抗菌性能，作为 Ag 和 ZnO 纳米粒子浓度的函数。热重分析的结果表明，两种纳米复合材料薄膜在 150°C 时降解了 8-15%，这证明了薄膜的热稳定性。扫描电子显微镜分析揭示了 Ag 和 ZnO 纳米颗粒与淀粉/琼脂基质的均匀混合，表面具有微小的波浪状外观。发现在薄膜中掺入 Ag 和 ZnO 纳米粒子会随着 Ag 和 ZnO 纳米粒子浓度的增加而降低水分含量、水溶性和水蒸气渗透性。在银和氧化锌混合纳米复合膜存在下，铜绿假单胞菌和金黄色葡萄球菌的生长动力学研究显示出有希望的结果，尤其是对革兰氏阴性铜绿假单胞菌。因此，本研究中合成的薄膜具有用作活性包装材料以防止食品受到细菌污染和变质的潜力。