Biodegradation of Polylactic Acid-Based Bio Composites Reinforced with Chitosan and Essential Oils as Anti-Microbial Material for Food Packaging

Abstract

This study aims to produce and investigate the potential of biodegradable Polylactic Acid (PLA)-based composites mixed with chitosan and Turmeric Essential Oil (TEO) as an anti-microbial biomaterial. PLA has good barrier properties for moisture, so it is suitable for use as a raw material for making packaging and is included in the GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe). Chitosan is a non-toxic and antibacterial cationic polysaccharide that needs to be improved in its ability to fight microbes. TEO must be added to increase antibacterial properties due to a large number of hydroxyl (-OH) and carbonyl functional groups. The samples were prepared in three different variations: 2 g of chitosan, 0 mL TEO and 0 mL glycerol (Biofilm 1), 3 g of chitosan, 0.3 mL TEO and 0.5 mL of glycerol (Biofilm 2), and 4 g of chitosan, 0.3 of TEO and 0.5 mL of glycerol (Biofilm 3). The final product was characterized by its functional group through Fourier transform infrared (FTIR); the functional groups contained by the addition of TEO are C-H, C=O, O-H, and N-H with the extraction method, and as indicated by the emergence of a wide band at 3503 cm−1, turmeric essential oil interacts with the polymer matrix by creating intermolecular hydrogen bonds between their terminal hydroxyl group and the carbonyl groups of the ester moieties of both PLA and Chitosan. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) of PLA as biofilms, the maximum temperature of a biofilm was observed at 315.74 °C in the variation of 4 g chitosan, 0.3 mL TEO, and 0.5 mL glycerol (Biofilm 3). Morphological conditions analyzed under scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that the addition of TEO inside the chitosan interlayer bound chitosan molecules to produce solid particles. Chitosan and TEO showed increased anti-bacterial activity in the anti-microbial test. Furthermore, after 12 days of exposure to open areas, the biofilms generated were able to resist S. aureus and E. coli bacteria.

Carbon Fiber/PLA Recycled Composite

“…Commercial PLA degrades slowly under natural settings because its continued existence may harm the ecosystem. Moreover, discarding the PLA due to slow natural degradation is not a wise choice due to the loss of many useful compounds such as the hydroxyl group [ 15 ]. Therefore, customized settings of the important parameters in this regard are necessary for the degradation of PLA [ 16 ].…”

Inhibitory potential of turmeric extract (Curcuma domestica Val.) toward the growth of Streptococcus gordonii bacteria

“…The mechanism of curcumin's action as an antibacterial is by damaging cell proteins in bacteria, causing a nutrient leak in bacteria which can inhibit bacterial growth (Dai et al, 2022). The mechanism action of essential oils as antibacterials is by inhibiting cell formation and lysing cell membranes by dissolving phospholipids, and interacting hydroxyl groups with carbonyl groups and bacterial cell membrane proteins therefore these proteins lose their function (11). Flavonoids work as antibacterials by forming complex compounds with dissolved proteins and extracellular proteins, thereby damaging cell membranes (6).…”

Phase Morphology, Mechanical, and Thermal Properties of Calcium Carbonate-Reinforced Poly(L-lactide)-b-poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(L-lactide) Bioplastics

“…Among bio-based polymers, poly(L-lactic acid) or poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) has received the most attention because of its biodegradability, biocompatibility, processability, and possibilities for production scale-up [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]. PLLA has been extensively investigated for medical, pharmaceutical, packaging, agricultural, automotive, and electronic applications [ 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]. The main limitation in the use of PLLA is that it is less flexible [ 8 ].…”