Modified nanocellulose by trivalent cationic ions as an antimicrobial agent for paper-based food packaging.

Paper-based food packaging serves to maintain product quality for a longer period. The addition of nanocellulose as a coating agent on paper can improve the quality of the recycled paper. Modification of nanocellulose with Al3+ can occur due to the interaction between Al3+ ions and the electrostatic negative surface charge of nanocellulose which can degrade microbial cells. Modification of nanocellulose was carried out by soaking it in AlCl3 solution then homogenized by an ultrasonic wave which was used for defibrillation of nanocellulose and encourage crosslinking of nanocellulose and Al3+ ions. The paper coating technique uses a deep coating by immersing the paper in modified nanocellulose suspension. The variations of AlCl3 concentration used were 0.01, 0.05, 0.1, and 0.15 N as much as 25 ml on 1 g dry base nanocellulose. The concentrations of nanocellulose used were 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 g in 25 ml of Al3+ solution. The results of paper water absorption and WVTR test showed that modified nanocellulose can reduce the absorption of water vapor and water absorption from the paper, so it has water resistance. Nanocellulose coated can increase the hydrophobicity of the paper based on contact angle test. Antimicrobial test on coating paper also showed antimicrobial activity on E.coli test bacteria and not on S. aureus bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]