[Characterization of silver nanoparticles migration from package materials destined for contact with foods]

There was studied migration of artificial silver nanoparticles from polyethylene films destined for package of such foods as bread and poultry into model media reproducing physico-chemical properties and composition of said products. Modification of films was performed by 5- or 10-fold spraying of silver nanoparticles on the surface of package material. Model media were composed from water, alcohol and plant oil according to US FDA and Russian Federal Service for Surveillance of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Well-Being official recommendation. Nanoparticles were detected in model media by means of transmission electron and atomic force microscopy. Quantification of silver in nanoparticles migrating from films was performed by mass-spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma. The results obtained showed that silver migrated from films into test media in form of nanoparticles with mean diameter close to 10-20 nm. Migrated particles were partially aggregated to complexes with dimension about 50 nm with degree of aggregation depending on media composition. Quantification showed that amounts of silver nanoparticles migrating in foods did not exceed save level of this nanomaterial consumption even in aggravated conditions when almost all volume of product was consumed in form packaged in films modified with nanosilver.