Synthesis, Characterization, and Antimicrobial and Nematicidal Activities of Chitosan-Based Silver-Doped Titanium...

Chitosan (Cs)-based silver-doped titanium dioxide (Cs-AgTiO₂) films were synthesized intending their end-use application in food packaging. AgTiO₂ NPs were successfully prepared by using electrochemical synthesis. Cs-AgTiO₂ films were synthesized by using the solution casting technique. Various advanced instrumental techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) were used for the characterization of Cs-AgTiO₂ films. Intending their food packaging applications, samples were further investigated to obtain varied biological results including antibacterial (Escherichia coli), antifungal (Candida albicans), and nematicidal activities. Ampicillin (E. coli) and fluconazole (C. albicans) were used as models. FT-IR and XRD confirm the structural modification of Cs. IR peak shifting was observed, which confirmed that AgTiO₂ interacted with chitosan via amide I and amide II groups. This confirmed the stability of the filler in the polymer matrix. SEM also confirmed the successful incorporation of AgTiO₂ NPs. Cs-AgTiO₂ (3%) shows excellent antibacterial (16.51 ± 2.10 μg/mL) and antifungal (15.67 ± 2.14 μg/mL) activities. Nematicidal assays were also done, and Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) was used as a model organism. Cs-AgTiO₂ NPs (3%) exhibited excellent nematicidal potential (64.20 ± 1.23 μg/mL), which could make these films a suitable novel material to control nematode spread in food.