Chemical Risk Assessment of an Antimicrobial Packaging with Cellulose Nanofibers from Industrial Recycled Pulp

Abstract The current study aims to develop an antimicrobial bio-based packaging material using cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) isolated from recycled industrial paper pulp while evaluating its safety as food contact material for dry or fatty food packaging. CNFs were produced through TEMPO-mediated oxidation followed by ball milling defibrillation and physical–chemical characterization. CNF suspensions were used to prepare emulsions with oregano essential oil (OEO) for the coating of a cellulose food contact material. The resulting active film exhibited antimicrobial activity, with films coated with 4% OEO completely inhibiting the growth of foodborne bacteria and molds , except Pseudomonas putida . In terms of mechanical performance, CNF coatings increased the tensile strength of the cellulosic film from 34.8 to 79.3, while CNF-OEO coatings showed a tensile strength of 45.4 MPa. Additionally, CNF-OEO coatings also improved the elongation at break from 22.6 to 45.5%. Finally, migration studies of CNF-OEO-coated films indicated that the overall migration, as well as the migration values obtained for each migrant, were lower than their respective migration limits or toxicological threshold values. The results obtained have demonstrated that a sustainable and available as recycled paper pulp, can be used as a source of cellulose nanofibers for the development and improvement of antimicrobial active packaging. Graphical Abstract