Antimicrobial evaluation of polyaniline-coated Argeli paper for sustainable packaging

Authors

  • Yub Narayan Thapa Research Centre for Applied Science and Technology, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Kathmandu 44618, Nepal; Central Department of Chemistry, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Kathmandu 44618, Nepal; Tribhuvan Multiple Campus, Tribhuvan University, Tansen, Palpa 32500, Nepal https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8034-9071
  • Prakash Dhungana Department of Chemistry, Amrit Science Campus, Tribhuvan University, Lainchour, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal
  • Bimal Rajchal Research Centre for Applied Science and Technology, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Kathmandu 44618, Nepal; Central Department of Chemistry, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Kathmandu 44618, Nepal; Department of Chemistry, Bhaktapur Multiple Campus, Tribhuvan University, Bhaktapur 44800, Nepal https://orcid.org/0009-0006-0602-3117
  • Deepshikha Karki Research Centre for Applied Science and Technology, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Kathmandu 44618, Nepal; Central Department of Chemistry, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Kathmandu 44618, Nepal https://orcid.org/0009-0000-0742-519X
  • Babin Khanal Research Centre for Applied Science and Technology, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Kathmandu 44618, Nepal https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9466-8583
  • Achyut Nepal Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems (IMWS), Walter-Hülse-Straße 1, 06120 Halle/Saale, Germany
  • Sven Henning Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems (IMWS), Walter-Hülse-Straße 1, 06120 Halle/Saale, Germany https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5936-4410
  • Shashi Joshi Department of Chemistry, Amrit Science Campus, Tribhuvan University, Lainchour, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal https://orcid.org/0009-0005-0578-0629
  • Devesh Kumar Avasthi Centre of Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES), Dehradun 248007, Uttarakhand, India https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0968-4552
  • Rameshwar Adhikari Research Centre for Applied Science and Technology, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Kathmandu 44618, Nepal; Central Department of Chemistry, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Kathmandu 44618, Nepal https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7350-0204

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3126/njes.v13i2.85039

Keywords:

Antibacterial, conjugated polymer, traditional Nepali paper, PANI, zone of inhibition

Abstract

Polyaniline (PANI)-coated traditional Nepali paper composites were synthesized via an in situ chemical oxidative polymerization process. Fourier Transform Infra-red Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Optical Microscopy (OM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) confirmed the PANI-coating. Additionally, the synthesized PANI powder (emeraldine salt) exhibited good antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli (zone of inhibition, ZOI: 0.5 cm each) and antifungal activity against Candida albicans (ZOI: 0.4 cm). In contrast, PANI-coated NK exhibited lower antimicrobial activity compared to powdered PANI. It was more effective against E. coli (ZOI: 0.3 cm) than against B. subtilis (ZOI: 0.2 cm). The antifungal activity against C. albicans was the lowest, with a ZOI of 0.1 cm. These findings demonstrate the potential of the composites for sustainable packaging applications with modest antimicrobial properties.  Optimizing the polymerization process and material formulation could enhance their efficacy for eco-friendly active packaging systems.

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Published

2025-12-30

How to Cite

Thapa, Y. N., Dhungana, P., Rajchal, B., Karki, D., Khanal, B., Nepal, A., … Adhikari, R. (2025). Antimicrobial evaluation of polyaniline-coated Argeli paper for sustainable packaging. Nepal Journal of Environmental Science, 13(2), 93–102. https://doi.org/10.3126/njes.v13i2.85039

Issue

Vol. 13 No. 2 (2025)

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Research Articles

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