Quaternary ammonium surfaces for antimicrobial packaging

摘要

This paper discusses the potential of introducing quaternary ammonium groups into packaging materials to impart antimicrobial properties. Some products containing migratory and non-migratory quaternary ammonium were synthesised and tested for antibacterial and antimould activity. Three types of quaternary ammonium groups, silylpropyloctadecyldimethyl-, poly(4-vinyl-N-hexylpyridinium) and alkylated polyethylenimine, were covalently bound to silica gel and/or magnetite nanoparticles and the activity of the modified products against Escherichia coli and a group of mould fungi assessed. The products displayed variable activity. In most cases the activity was non-migratory and killing only occurred with direct contact between the organism and the substrate surface. The implications for food packaging are discussed.