Self-Assembled Biofunctionalized Chitosan-Derived Nanocomposite for Long-Lasting Antibacterial Packaging at Room Temperature

The development of biobased antibacterial nanomaterials for normal-temperature food preservation is important to prevent foodborne pathogenic infections and achieve low-carbon life. Herein, we developed a biodegradable self-assembling polymer-based nanocomposite with efficient antibacterial activity through the copolymerization of chitosan units with Astragalus polysaccharides and functional dihydromyricetin. The as-prepared irregular spherical-type nanocomposite exhibited multidimensional antibacterial action such as cell membrane devastation, cellular leakages, and respiratory disturbance (ATP pathway), thereby achieving an efficient inhibition in vitro against Gram-negative Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). After the natural deposition of the designed nanocomposite onto a commercial fiber paper (FP), the resulting modified FP was found to possess remarkable pathogen eradication, enhanced UV shielding, and improved water vapor barrier properties. As a proof-of-concept demonstration, the shelf life of salt-baked chicken (processed food) packaged in the modified FP was extended to 5 days in a room-temperature environment. Therefore, the simple design and validation of polymer-based nanocomposite in this work will provide a good reference for room-temperature food preservation technology.