Effect of chitosan/modified montmorillonite coating on the antibacterial and mechanical properties of date palm fiber trays.

In this study, the coated date palm fiber (Dpf) trays were developed using new non-toxic, and eco-friendly materials which are date palm fibers coated with a bio-composite of modified clay (Mt-Tbz). The thiabendazolium was intercalated in the interlayer space of montmorillonite and used in order to enhance the biological properties of final materials. This material was prepared as bilayer material, the first layer contains the treated palm fibers and the second one composes of bio-composite films through coating process. The elaborated coated Dpf trays were characterized using several techniques. The morphological characterization of the Dpf trays and coated Dpf trays (Dpf@Cs/Mt-Tbz), show a better dispersion/distribution of chitosan/montmorillonite modified thiabendazolium salt based coating bio-composite on the fibers surface, these results can improve the mechanical properties of the new coated Dpf trays in term of Young's modulus from 330 MPa to 1035 MPa and tensile strength from 0.5 MPa to 4 MPa. In addition, their inhibitory effect against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa has been investigated. Furthermore, the coating layer increase also the surface hydrophobicity compared to uncoated trays. The present study suggests that the elaborated coated Dpf trays can be used as potential bilayer material in the smart packaging industry.