title: Preparation and characterization of agar/clay nanocomposite films: the effect of clay type.
abstract: Agar-based nanocomposite films with different types of nanoclays, such as Cloisite Na+, Cloisite 30B, and Cloisite 20A, were prepared using a solvent casting method, and their tensile, water vapor barrier, and antimicrobial properties were tested. Tensile strength (TS), elongation at break (E), and water vapor permeability (WVP) of control agar film were 29.7±1.7 MPa, 45.3±9.6%, and (2.22±0.19)×10(-9) g·m/m2·s·Pa, respectively. All the film properties tested, including transmittance, tensile properties, WVP, and X-ray diffraction patterns, indicated that Cloisite Na+ was the most compatible with agar matrix. TS of the nanocomposite films prepared with 5% Cloisite Na+ increased by 18%, while WVP of the nanocomposite films decreased by 24% through nanoclay compounding. Among the agar/clay nanocomposite films tested, only agar/Cloisite 30B nanocomposite film showed a bacteriostatic function against Listeria monocytogenes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Engineering, Mokpo National University, 960 Muanro, Chungkyemyon, Muangun, Jeonnam 534-729, Republic of Korea. jwrhim@mokpo.ac.kr
authors.forename: Jong-Whan
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Rhim
authors.forename: Soo-Bin
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Seok-In
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Hong
mesh_terms: D000362:Agar / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000538:Aluminum Silicates / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D001546:Bentonite / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D000077215:Clay; D003116:Color; D018857:Food Packaging; D008089:Listeria monocytogenes / Q000187:drug effects; D055595:Mechanical Phenomena; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D053761:Nanocomposites / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010539:Permeability; D013227:Steam; D013499:Surface Properties; D013718:Tensile Strength; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
chemical_list: D000538:Aluminum Silicates; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D013227:Steam; D014867:Water; D001546:Bentonite; D000362:Agar; D000077215:Clay