Researchers from Israel have developed a new type of paper packaging that can help preserve foods by killing food-borne bacteria such as E. coli.
The “killer paper” contains a coating of silver nanoparticles, which act as powerful anti-bacterial agents.
The researchers used ultrasounds and high frequency sound waves to deposit the nanoparticles on the surface of paper. The coated paper showed potent antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus – killing all of the bacteria in just three hours.
Lead researcher, Professor Aharon Gedanken, of the Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials at Bar-Ilan University, said silver had been used in medicinal ointments, kitchen and bathroom surfaces to kill bacteria, however the development of a suitable method to use it commercially in food packaging had previously been difficult.
Prof. Gedanken said the “killer paper” could provide an alternative to common food preservation methods such as radiation, heat treatment, and low temperature storage.
The study on the “killer paper” is published in the American Chemical Society journal, Langmuir.