Packaging Covered with Antiviral and Antibacterial Coatings Based on ZnO Nanoparticles Supplemented with Geraniol and Carvacrol

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to obtain an external coating based on nanoparticles of ZnO, carvacrol, and geraniol that could be active against viruses such as SARS-Co-V2. Additionally, the synergistic effect of the chosen substances in coatings was analyzed. The goal of the study was to measure the possible antibacterial activity of the coatings obtained. Testing antiviral activity with human pathogen viruses, such as SARS-Co-V2, requires immense safety measures. Bacteriophages such as phi 6 phage represent good surrogates for the study of airborne viruses. The results of the study indicated that the ZC1 and ZG1 coatings containing an increased amount of geraniol or carvacrol and a very small amount of nanoZnO were found to be active against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. It is also important that a synergistic effect between these active substances was noted. This explains why polyethylene (PE) films covered with the ZC1 or ZG1 coatings (as internal coatings) were found to be the best packaging materials to extend the quality and freshness of food products. The same coatings may be used as the external coatings with antiviral properties. The ZC1 and ZG1 coatings showed moderate activity against the phi 6 phage that has been selected as a surrogate for viruses such as coronaviruses. It can be assumed that coatings ZG1 and ZC1 will also be active against SARS-CoV-2 that is transmitted via respiratory droplets.

Keywords: SARS-Co-V2; active coatings; active packaging; antibacterial properties; antiviral properties; phi 6 phage.

Figure 1

The influence of coatings on S. aureus growth. K–PE film; G1–PE film covered with the MHPC coating containing 0.0125 g of geraniol in 100 mL carrier; C1–PE film covered with the MHPC coating containing 0.0125 g of carvacrol in 100 mL carrier; G–PE film covered with the MHPC coating containing 5 g of geraniol in 100 mL carrier; Z1–PE film covered with the MHPC coating containing 0.041 g ZnO nanoparticles in 100 mL carrier; ZG1–PE film covered with the MHPC coating containing 0.041 g ZnO nanoparticles and 0.0125 g of geraniol in 100 mL carrier; ZC1–PE film covered with the MHPC coating containing 0.041g ZnO nanoparticles and 0.0125 g of carvacrol in 100 mL carrier; one-way ANOVA: ns—not significant; *—p < 0.05; **—p < 0.01; ***—p < 0.001; ****—p < −0.0001.

Figure 2

The influence of coatings on E. coli growth. K—PE film; G1–PE film covered with the MHPC coating containing 0.0125 g of geraniol in 100 mL carrier; C1–PE film covered with the MHPC coating containing 0.0125 g of carvacrol in 100 mL carrier; G–PE film covered with the MHPC coating containing 5 g of geraniol in 100 mL carrier; Z1–PE film covered with the MHPC coating containing 0.041 g ZnO nanoparticles in 100 mL carrier; ZG1–PE film covered with the MHPC coating containing 0.041 g ZnO nanoparticles and 0.0125 g of geraniol in 100 mL carrier; ZC1–PE film covered with the MHPC coating containing 0.041g ZnO nanoparticles and 0.0125 g of carvacrol in 100 mL carrier, one-way ANOVA: ns—not significant; *—p < 0.05; **—p < 0.01; ***—p < 0.001; ****—p < −0.0001.

Figure 3

The influence of coatings on P. syringae growth. K–PE film; G1–PE film covered with the MHPC coating containing 0.0125 g of geraniol in 100 mL carrier; C1–PE film covered with the MHPC coating containing 0.0125 g of carvacrol in 100 mL carrier; G–PE film covered with the MHPC coating containing 5 g of geraniol in 100 mL carrier; Z1–PE film covered with the MHPC coating containing 0.041 g ZnO nanoparticles in 100 mL carrier; ZG1–PE film covered with the MHPC coating containing 0.041 g ZnO nanoparticles and 0.0125 g of geraniol in 100 mL carrier; ZC1–PE film covered with the MHPC coating containing 0.041g ZnO nanoparticles and 0.0125 g of carvacrol in 100 mL carrier, one-way ANOVA: ns—not significant; *—p < 0.05; **—p < 0.01; ***—p < 0.001; ****—p < −0.0001.

Figure 4

(A) OD over time for P. syringe after 48 h of incubation. Incubation devoid of phi 6 phages; OD—0.2. (B) The growth rate of P. syringe after 48 h of incubation. Incubation devoid of phi 6 phages; OD—0.2.

Figure 4

(A) OD over time for P. syringe after 48 h of incubation. Incubation devoid of phi 6 phages; OD—0.2. (B) The growth rate of P. syringe after 48 h of incubation. Incubation devoid of phi 6 phages; OD—0.2.

Figure 5

(A) OD over time for P. syringe after 48 h of incubation. Incubation with phi 6 phages, addition of the phages OD—0.2, amount of phage MOI—1; (B) The growth rate of P. syringe after 48 h of incubation. Incubation with phi 6 phages, addition of the phages OD—0.2, amount of phage MOI—1.

Figure 6

The influence of coatings on bacteriophage titer. K–PE film; G1–PE film covered with the MHPC coating containing 0.0125 g of geraniol in 100 mL carrier; C1–PE film covered with the MHPC coating containing 0.0125 g of carvacrol in 100 mL carrier; G–PE film covered with the MHPC coating containing 5 g of geraniol in 100 mL carrier; Z–PE film covered with the MHPC coating containing 0.082 g ZnO nanoparticles in 100 mL carrier; Z1–PE film covered with the MHPC coating containing 0.041 g ZnO nanoparticles in 100 mL carrier; ZG1–PE film covered with the MHPC coating containing 0.041 g ZnO nanoparticles and 0.0125 g of geraniol in 100 mL carrier; ZC1–PE film covered with the MHPC coating containing 0.041g ZnO nanoparticles and 0.0125 g of carvacrol in 100 mL carrier, one-way ANOVA: ns—not significant; *—p < 0.05; **—p < 0.01; ***—p < 0.001; ****—p < −0.0001.

Figure 7

OD over time for P. syringe after 30 h of incubation. Incubation with phi 6 phages after their incubation with the chosen coatings; addition of phages when OD—0.2; amount of phage MOI—1.

Figure 8

Multilayer active polyethylene packaging.