The nanosilver-based antibacterial composite film used
as food
packaging has a potential hazard of silver leakage into the human
body. In this study, hyperbranched polyamide-amine (HPAMAM) was used
as a template, reducing agent, and stabilizer to synthesize Ag nanoparticles
(Ag NPs) in situ, and then HPAMAM anchored Ag NPs onto oxidized cellulose
to construct a regenerated cellulose film with a low silver leakage
for antibacterial food packaging. Alkali hydroxide/urea solution was
used to dissolve cotton fibers, and the hydroxyl groups at C-2 and
C-3 of the glucose residues were oxidized to two aldehyde groups by
NaIO4. Then, HPAMAM/Ag NPs composites (Ag@HPAMAM NPs) were
grafted on the oxidized cellulose by the reaction between aldehyde
groups and amino groups. The Ag@HPAMAM NPs-embedded cellulose films
were achieved by regenerating the dissolved cellulose with ethanol
and drying naturally. With a low silver leakage (<10%), Ag@HPAMAM
NPs-embedded cellulose films exhibited a strong antibacterial effect
on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus and effectively extended the storage life of cherry tomatoes as
food packaging. In addition, the physical properties of Ag@HPAMAM
NPs-embedded cellulose films were improved due to the anchor of Ag
NPs onto oxidized cellulose by HPAMAM. This study provides a strategy
for synthesizing Ag@HPAMAM NPs-embedded cellulose film, which has
the potential to be used as a biodegradable, renewable, and safe antibacterial
food package material.