Antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of novel synthesized nanocomposites based on polystyrene packaging material waste

This work aims at preparation and characterization of novel synthesized nanocomposites based on polystyrene (Psty) packaging material waste. Moreover, the antimicrobial and antioxidant properties were examined and evaluated. The Psty was grafted with two different monomers such as acrylic and maleic acids (AAc and MAc, respectively) in presence of montmorillonite (MMT) using potassium persulfate as initiator under nitrogen atmosphere. The prepared nanocomposites were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), transmission (TEM) and scanning electron microscopes (SEM). Moreover, the antimicrobial activity was evaluated using agar disc diffusion method against gram negative bacteria such as: Klebsiella pneumonia, and Escherichia coli and gram positive bacterium (Sarcina lutea); in addition to the yeast fungus (Candida albicans). Furthermore, the radical scavenging ability of the prepared nanocomposites has been examined using the DPPH assay.