Natural Biocidal Compounds of Plant Origin as Biodegradable Materials Modifiers

Abstract

The article presents a literature review of the plant origin natural compounds with biocidal properties. These compounds could be used as modifiers of biodegradable materials. Modification of polymer material is one of the basic steps in its manufacturing process. Biodegradable materials play a key role in the current development of materials engineering. Natural modifiers are non-toxic, environmentally friendly, and renewable. The substances contained in natural modifiers exhibit biocidal properties against bacteria and/or fungi. The article discusses polyphenols, selected phenols, naphthoquinones, triterpenoids, and phytoncides that are natural antibiotics. Due to the increasing demand for biodegradable materials and the protection of the natural environment against the negative effects of toxic substances, it is crucial to replace synthetic modifiers with plant ones. This work mentions industries where materials containing natural modifying additives could find potential applications. Moreover, the probable examples of the final products are presented. Additionally, the article points out the current world’s pandemic state and the use of materials with biocidal properties considering the epidemiological conditions.

The Use of Carbohydrate Biopolymers in Plant Protection against Pathogenic Fungi

“…It occurs in marine shellfish, insects, mushrooms and yeast. The highest percentage content of chitin has been observed in shells and tails of crabs, shrimps and lobsters [ 28 ]. The best-known derivative of chitin is chitosan, which is a polycationic polymer isolated after the deacetylation of chitin.…”

Bactericidal Properties of Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) Modified with Commercial Additives Used for Food Protection in the Food Industry

“…Often, however, the effectiveness of natural biocides is much lower than that of nanometals, despite higher dosing of the polymer material. There are also problems regarding the high processing temperatures of polymers, which often precludes quick degradation of the natural components [29][30][31]. On the other hand, the use of natural substances produced by microorganisms, such as natamycin, nisin, astaxanthin, plantaricycline, lacticin, is often economically unprofitable but despite successful laboratory research results, they are not implemented in the industry [32,33].…”