Quantitative analysis of nanoparticle migration from biopolymer-based packaging into food simulants using ICP-MS

Nanotechnology has revolutionized various fields, including the food packaging industry. In addition to the physicochemical enhancement, the migration of NP into food may risk the consumer's health. This study analyzes the migration limit of the ZnO NP-embedded packaging film with low-content polyvinyl alcohol, in various European regulations-approved food simulants. The NP's diffusion coefficient and zeta potential were calculated to be 5.02 × 10^-13 m²/s and -7.49 mV, respectively. All the films exhibited efficient antibacterial properties, with films Z2 and Z3 displaying high bacterial load reduction (>70 %). The migration limits observed using ICP-MS indicated that the films are suitable for storing food with high-fat content, like dairy products (Simulant D- <7 mg/L). The migration limits are within the approved level (5 mg/L), thus the developed films with enhanced characteristics can be used in the food packaging industry with complete safety.