Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) packages containing submicrometre-sized silver particles (Ag-LDPE) were produced by extrusion method and used as packaging material for barberry packaging. The effects of Ag-LDPE packages on the microbial factors, apparent color and sensory factors of dried barberry were investigated in comparison with the pure polystyrene packages. Ag-LDPE packages showed antimicrobial effects on barberry compared with pure polystyrene packages. In comparison with pure polystyrene packages, Ag-LDPE film with 2 weight percent (wt%) of silver particles revealed antimicrobial activity against mold and total bacteria count of approximately 2.3 and 2.84 log10 reductions in colony-forming units, respectively. Ag-LDPE packages in concentration of more than 1wt% of silver particles preserved the appearance quality of the barberry better than pure polystyrene packages. The barberries packaged in Ag-LDPE film with 1 wt% of silver particles retained their red color and brightness for approximately 2 to 3 weeks more than barberries packaged in pure polystyrene films. Ag-LDPE packages assisted in the improvement of aroma, taste and total acceptance of barberry in comparison with pure polystyrene packages except in the low concentration of silver particles of approximately 0.02 wt%. The taste, aroma, appearance and also total acceptance of barberries packaged in Ag-LDPE film with 1 wt% silver particles were preserved for approximately 2 to 3, 1 to 4, 2 to 5 and 2 to 4 weeks, respectively, more than barberries packaged in pure polystyrene films. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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