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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BARC) » Beltsville Agricultural Research Center » Food Quality Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #385160
Research Project: Reducing Postharvest Loss and Improving Fresh Produce Marketability and Nutritive Values through Technological Innovations and Process Optimization

Location: Food Quality Laboratory

Title: Polydopamine-coated chitosan hydrogel beads for synthesis and immobilization of silver nanoparticles to simultaneously enhance antimicrobial activity and adsorption kinetics

Author
item WANG, TAORAN - University Of Connecticut
item WUSIGALE - University Of Connecticut
item KUTTAPPAN, DEEPA - University Of Connecticut
item AMALARADJOU, MARY ANNE - University Of Connecticut
item Luo, Yaguang - Sunny
item LUO, YANGCHAO - University Of Connecticut

Submitted to: Advanced Composites and Hybrid Materials
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/8/2021
Publication Date: 7/27/2021
Citation: Wang, T., Wusigale, Kuttappan, D., Amalaradjou, M., Luo, Y., Luo, Y. 2021. Polydopamine-coated chitosan hydrogel beads for synthesis and immobilization of silver nanoparticles to simultaneously enhance antimicrobial activity and adsorption kinetics. Advanced Composites and Hybrid Materials. 4:696–706. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42114-021-00305-1.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42114-021-00305-1

Interpretive Summary: Multi-functional chemical substances are needed for effective treatment and reuse of food processing waste water. In this study, novel hydrogel beads that simultaneously control chemical and biological contaminants in wastewater were developed. Chitosan-based hydrogel beads were immobilized with silver nanoparticles via polydopamine coating and tested. These beads showed strong capacity in removing both anionic dyes and metal ions, as well as significant inhibition against both Gram-negative Escherichia coli and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus. Findings benefit the food industry by providing novel technologies for dual control of chemical and biological contaminants in the waste water.

Technical Abstract: In this study, the innovative and multi-functional chitosan-based hydrogel beads were immobilized with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) via polydopamine coating to simultaneously enhance antimicrobial and adsorption activity. The structure and properties of the hydrogel beads were comprehensively characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and swelling behavior in distilled water. The formation of AgNPs within the hydrogel network was confirmed by elemental mapping. The equilibrium swelling ratio of the prepared hydrogel beads decreased as pH increased, being 160%, 100% and 80% at pH 5, 7 and 9, respectively. The adsorption performance of the hydrogel beads was investigated for the removal of an anionic dye and a metal ion (Cu (II)). The presence of AgNPs enhanced the adsorption capacity of the beads for the above-mentioned adsorbates. The antimicrobial activities were determined against potential human pathogens including Gram-negative Escherichia coli and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus. The antimicrobial activity of the obtained beads on the Gram-negative bacteria was higher than on the Gram-positive bacteria. The obtained hydrogel beads could be used for simultaneously controlling chemical and biological contaminants in wastewater.