Calcium ascorbate and gold core silver shell nanoparticles enhance chitosan starch films for grape preservation
- 1State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Vegetables Quality and Safety Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China
- 2Key Laboratory of Geriatric Nutrition and Health, Ministry of Education, Beijing Technology & Business University
- 3Key Laboratory of Quality & Safety Control of Cirtus Fruits, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Southwest University
Abstract
While chitosan-based films are widely studied for food preservation, their practical application is often limited by inherent limitations in stability of the material, antibacterial efficacy, and long-term preservation capability. Here, we present an innovative one-pot fabrication of a multifunctional, biodegradable food packaging film based on a chitosan-potato starch matrix synergistically enhanced by calcium ascorbate (CA) and Au@Ag. CA acts as both an ionic crosslinker and an active antimicrobial/antioxidant additive, while the embedded Au@Ag nanoparticles synergistically reinforce the functional performance of the composite film. The resulting exhibits considerably improved mechanical strength (tensile strength increased from 7.58 to 8.76 MPa) and enhanced water barrier properties (WVTR reduced from 0.312 to 0.271 g·m−2·h−1). Notably, it demonstrates high water stability, nearly complete UV-blocking (≈99%), and the composite film exhibits considerably enhanced ABTS and DPPH radical-scavenging activities compared to the control CS/PS film (p > 0.05). Antibacterial testing shows 100% inhibition against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). In practical preservation tests, the lower water contact angle (WCA) of CS/PS/CA/Au@Ag film promotes strong adhesion to the grape surface, which enhances contact-active antimicrobial efficacy and results in a longer shelf life than commercial polyethylene (PE) wrap. Combined with excellent biosafety and soil-degradability, this rationally engineered composite represents a sustainable, high-performance alternative to conventional petroleum-based packaging for food preservation.
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BibTeX
@article{chen2026calcium,
title = {{Calcium ascorbate and gold core silver shell nanoparticles enhance chitosan starch films for grape preservation}},
author = {Xin Chen and Jun Lv and Lixuan Cong and Ai Nasi and Fengzhi Lyu and Lin Qin and Yiming Zhao and Donghui Xu and Ming Yang and Junmei Liu and Bining Jiao and Guangyang Liu},
journal = {npj Science of Food},
year = {2026},
month = jun,
doi = {10.1038/s41538-026-00971-9},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1038/s41538-026-00971-9},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Calcium ascorbate and gold core silver shell nanoparticles enhance chitosan starch films for grape preservation
AU - Xin Chen
AU - Jun Lv
AU - Lixuan Cong
AU - Ai Nasi
AU - Fengzhi Lyu
AU - Lin Qin
AU - Yiming Zhao
AU - Donghui Xu
AU - Ming Yang
AU - Junmei Liu
AU - Bining Jiao
AU - Guangyang Liu
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/06/01
JO - npj Science of Food
DO - 10.1038/s41538-026-00971-9
UR - https://doi.org/10.1038/s41538-026-00971-9
AB - While chitosan-based films are widely studied for food preservation, their practical application is often limited by inherent limitations in stability of the material, antibacterial efficacy, and long-term preservation capability. Here, we present an innovative one-pot fabrication of a multifunctional, biodegradable food packaging film based on a chitosan-potato starch matrix synergistically enhanced by calcium ascorbate (CA) and Au@Ag. CA acts as both an ionic crosslinker and an active antimicrobial/antioxidant additive, while the embedded Au@Ag nanoparticles synergistically reinforce the functional performance of the composite film. The resulting exhibits considerably improved mechanical strength (tensile strength increased from 7.58 to 8.76 MPa) and enhanced water barrier properties (WVTR reduced from 0.312 to 0.271 g·m−2·h−1). Notably, it demonstrates high water stability, nearly complete UV-blocking (≈99%), and the composite film exhibits considerably enhanced ABTS and DPPH radical-scavenging activities compared to the control CS/PS film (p > 0.05). Antibacterial testing shows 100% inhibition against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). In practical preservation tests, the lower water contact angle (WCA) of CS/PS/CA/Au@Ag film promotes strong adhesion to the grape surface, which enhances contact-active antimicrobial efficacy and results in a longer shelf life than commercial polyethylene (PE) wrap. Combined with excellent biosafety and soil-degradability, this rationally engineered composite represents a sustainable, high-performance alternative to conventional petroleum-based packaging for food preservation.
SN - 2396-8370
ER -