Electrospun polylactic acid nanofibers membrane with copper ion-loaded clay nanotubes for fresh-keeping packaging

The plastics derived from fossil fuels for food packaging results in serious environmental problems. Developing environment-friendly materials for food packaging is urgent and essential. In this study, polylactic acid (PLA) composite nanofibers membranes were prepared with good biocompatibility and antibacterial property. Cu²⁺ loaded in the natural halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) was used for the antibacterial agent. Cu²⁺ was loaded in the HNTs and was confirmed by the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). PLA nanofibers with different HNTs-Cu content were continuous nanofibers with the nanoscale range. HNTs-Cu entered into the nanofiber successfully. Thermal analysis results showed composite nanofibers had good thermal stability. Composite nanofiber membranes had the good hydrophobic property. HNTs-Cu improved the mechanical property of composite nanofibers than pure PLA nanofibers. Tensile strength and elasticity modulus of composite nanofibers with 4 % HNTs-Cu content were the most outstanding. L929 cells were cultured on the nanofiber membranes for biocompatibility evaluation. Cell viability of nanofiber membranes was above the 90 %. Cell live/dead staining results showed L929 cells was seldom dead on the nanofiber membranes. PLA/HNTs-Cu nanofiber membranes exhibited excellent antibacterial effects on S. aureus and E. coli. The inhibitory rates against S. aureus and E. coli were 98.31 % and 97.80 % respectively. The fresh-keeping effects of nanofiber membranes were evaluated by the strawberry preservation. Strawberries covered by nanofiber membranes exhibited better appearance, lower weight loss and higher firmness than control, PLA and PLA/HNTs groups. It promised that PLA/HNTs-Cu composite nanofiber membranes have the significant potential application for active food packaging.