Abstract
In this research, the MgO nanoparticles were incorporated into (acrylic acid /polyvinyl alcohol) PAA/PVA hydrogel by using gamma radiation technique at a dose rate of 1.9 kGy/k. The unique properties of MgO nanoparticles as structure, active surface properties, and stability make such nanoparticles have considerable potential as antimicrobial agents in food applications. In spite of known antibacterial activity of MgO NPs, the mechanism of metal oxide nanoparticle action on bacteria is complicated and not fully understood. The PAA/PVA system was mixed with various contents of MgO nanoparticles to prepare its MgO nanocomposite hydrogels. The morphology of the PAA/PVA copolymer hydrogels and their MgO nanocomposites hydrogels was characterized by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to prove the surface, bulk change, size, and the formation of MgO nanoparticles. TEM measurement estimated that the average particle size of prepared MgO NPs was 7.13 nm. The swelling properties of the various AAc hydrogels and its MgO nanocomposites hydrogels were also studied. The prepared acrylic acid copolymers and their MgO nanocomposites were examined for applicability as antibacterial material, and the results revealed that hydrogels and MgO nanocomposites hydrogels prepared in this study have higher antibacterial activity toward Staphylococus Aureus (S.a.) than Escherichia Coli (E. Coli). The discovery of novel and efficient nanocomposites may have a potential therapeutic role.