https://doi.org/10.15255/KUI.2019.005
Published: Kem. Ind. 69 (1-2) (2020) 35–42
Paper reference number: KUI-05/2019
Paper type: Preliminary communication
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Antibacterial Properties of mTiO2 Filler in Biocomposites Based on Low Density Polyethylene and Rice Husks

A. Kovačević, D. Kučić Grgić, E. Govorčin Bajsić and N. Mrkonjić

Abstract

Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) is a synthetic, non-degradable polymer most commonly used as a food packaging material; however, its non-degradability has an adverse effect on the environment. The development and use of biodegradable polymeric materials or plastics as packaging materials for food packaging has significantly increased. Biopolymers present one of the best alternatives for development of environmentally friendly packaging materials in the food industry due to their biodegradability. The aim of this study was to prepare biocomposites of low-density polyethylene (LDPE), rice husk (RH) and micro titanium dioxide (mTiO₂) as a filler in order to obtain a biodegradable and antibacterial material suitable for use as a packaging material in the food industry. The biocomposites were prepared by melt mixing in laboratory Brabender mixer. Antibacterial effect of different mass fraction of mTiO₂ (w = 0.5; 1.0; 1.5, and 2.0 %) on bacterial cultures of Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Bacillus subtilis was investigated. The results showed that mTiO₂ inhibited the growth of bacterial cultures of Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Bacillus subtilis at the mTiO₂ mass fraction of 1.5 and 2.0 % (the number of bacterial culture cells decreased). The results of TGA and DSC measurements showed that TiO₂ was blended successfully into the biocomposites.

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Keywords

low density polyethylene (LDPE), rice husks (RH), biocomposites, titanium dioxide (TiO2), antibacterial properties