Fabrication of curcumin-loaded soluble soy bean polysaccharide/TiO2 bio-nanocomposite for improved antimicrobial activity

Bioactive compounds like curcumin can be incorporated into food packaging formulation either to enhance physico-mechanical properties or to improve the biological activity of the packaging systems. Furthermore, it enables the packaging to monitor the changes in food quality. In the present study, the effect of curcumin concentration (0.2, 0.4 and 0.6%) on physico-mechanical and biological activity of soluble soy bean polysaccharide (SSPS)/TiO2 nanoparticles nanocomposites were investigated. Additionally, the release behavior of this bioactive compound from the developed film was tested. Finally, the color changing of SSPS/TiO2 nanoparticles/curcumin nanocomposites in contact with different mediums were examined. When the curcumin concentration increased up to a certain point (0.4 %), the physical and mechanical properties of the film improved, but beyond this point, an opposite effect was observed. SSPS/TiO2 nanocomposite showed strong antibacterial activity against both gram positive and negative bacteria. Small amount of curcumin released in ethanol as a food simulant. The films incorporated by curcumin can be used as promising packaging systems for non-destructively detecting quality and freshness of foods.