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PVA/starch nanocomposite film reinforced with cellulose nanofiber (CNF) of sugarcane bagasse was developed in this study as other option of existing biodegradable plastics packaging. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is selected in this study as it is the only synthetic polymer that is able to degrade and exhibit excellent film forming properties. This nanocomposite film was prepared via solution casting method. Cellulose nanofiber (CNF) was extracted from sugarcane bagasse (SCB) via alkaline and mild acid treatment assisted with ultrasonication. The cellulose nanofiber suspension was added into PVA/starch film with different loadings from 1 to 6wt% to determine the optimum loading that would give the best result of mechanical, thermal and antibacterial properties. The thermal properties, tensile strength and elongation at break of PVA/starch/cellulose nanofiber showed improvement when the CNF of SCB loading was 4wt%. Reinforcement of cellulose nanofiber to PVA/starch film caused a great enhancement of the tensile strength (85 MPa) which was 254% improvement. Antibacterial properties of this composite film PVA/starch/CNF incorporated with lemongrass essential oil gave inhibition towards gram positive bacteria S. aureus. This study can be an initial step towards development of active food packaging with improved properties of biodegradable film. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Cellulose acetate (CA) is a low cost, biodegradable polymer obtained from renewable resources. The development of CA active films to reduce or inhibit microbial growth in food could increase food products' shelf-life while decreasing the use of petroleumbased non-biodegradable polymers on food packaging. In this work, CA films containing carvacrol, a major antimicrobial compound in oregano essential oil, were obtained by solvent-casting and extensively characterised. Results showed that carvacrol in concentrations up to 10 wt.% was homogeneously distributed on transparent and continuous films. Carvacrol had little effect on water barrier properties, elongation, and stiffness while decreasing the melting and glass transition temperatures of the CA films. The sustained release of carvacrol to the vapour phase was observed over 10 weeks. Films with 10 wt.% of carvacrol were bactericidal against Weissella viridescens and Pseudomonas fluorescens and extended in 2.8 times the shelf-life for the vacuumpackaged ham. The physical and antibacterial properties demonstrated the feasibility of CA films containing carvacrol for active packaging and food shelf life extension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to develop novel micro-nanofibers for food packaging using grapevine extract (GLP) and gelatine using electroblowing technique. The identified components of GLP were dominated by the flavone group phenolics, as analyzed by LC-MS/MS. SBS was used to fabricate gelatine micro-nanofiber mats loaded with three different concentrations of GLP, which were subsequently cross-linked. The micro-nanofibers were characterized by their morphology, chemistry, thermal properties, and bioactivity. The in-vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial effects of the nanofiber mats were determined using various methods, which showed an increase in effectiveness with increasing GLP concentration. The in-situ assessment, where the nanofibers were applied to cheese, also showed a consistent improvement in shelf life with the use of GLP-loaded gelatin electroblown fibers. [Display omitted] • Grapevine leaf extract yielded 24 identifiable components. • Novel food packaging from electroblowing at 10 mL/h feeding rate. • Innovative packaging tested for efficacy against spoilage in cheese. • Electroblowing showcased promise for food packaging applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chitosan films with cross linker and plasticizer were prepared using solvent casting method for food packaging application. Citric acid was used as the cross linker which enhances the stability of the films. Glycerol was used as plasticizer which imparts flexibility. Successful cross linking was confirmed by Fourier Transform-Infra Red (FT-IR) spectra and incorporation of glycerol was seen clearly in the Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FE-SEM) images. The modified films show an improved water resistance and transparency. An improved moisture barrier was also observed with a 5.5% and 29% reduction in water vapor transmission and water vapor permeability, respectively. Modified films showed drastic 12 times increase in the elongation percentage value, hence enhanced flexibility. However, the tensile strength and Young’s modulus decreased substantially by 82% and 98%, respectively. The films also showed better thermal and antioxidant properties as compared to neat chitosan films and were found to enhance green chilli shelf life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, there is an increasing need to develop new green biodegradable materials for active antimicrobial food packaging applications. In this work, polylactic acid-2 % Fluorphlogopite-1.5%silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) composites were prepared using melt extrusion. Films were characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy, X-Ray Diffraction, Differential Scanning Calorimetry, and Water Contact Angle measurements. Results showed a good dispersion of both fluorphlogopite and AgNPs in PLA which increased the surface roughness and hydrophobicity of PLA. Subsequently, the thermal, mechanical, and barrier properties of PLA nanocomposites were assessed. PLA-2%Fluorphlogopite-1.5%AgNPs showed a higher thermal stability than neat PLA while the mechanical properties remained unchanged. Furthermore, the excellent barrier properties of PLA were also unaffected by the introduction of fluorphlogopite and AgNPs. Finally, the antibacterial activity of the nanocomposites was assessed against three bacteria, S. aureus , E. faecalis , and E. coli and PLA-2%Fluorphlogopite-1.5%AgNPs inhibited almost completely the bacterial adhesion on the surface of the films. [Display omitted] • Preparation of Polylactic acid-Fluorphlogopite–Silver nanoparticles nanocomposites by a simple melt extrusion process • Fluorphlogopite induced a high enhancement of PLA thermal stability at low content of 2 wt% • Fluorphlogopite and silver nanoparticles did not affect PLA barrier properties • Nanocomposites showed an antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus , and Enterococcus faecalis [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a series of antibacterial cationic copolymers derived from bio-sourced itaconic acid was studied as potential biobased active components in biodegradable formulations based on poly(butylene adipate- co -terephthalate) (PBAT) for packaging applications. These copolymers were first characterized by testing their antimicrobial activity against resistant bacterial strains, their biodegradability in compost conditions, and their thermal properties by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The antibacterial properties showed potent activity against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), with MIC values as low as 78 μg mL−1. Related to their biodegradability, the cationic polymers biodegraded fast under compost conditions and even a priming effect was observed in the compost. Thermal properties, characterized by DSC and TGA, showed that the copolymers thermally degraded at temperature relatively low; nevertheless, they are able to be processed at temperatures up to ∼150 °C. Subsequently, these antibacterial polymers were successfully blended as minor active component (10 wt%) with PBAT by melt-extrusion and press-compression molding. The resulting biopolymeric films exhibit potent antibacterial activity, which confirm that the cationic polymers incorporated as active component are able to perverse this activity after the processing and impart antibacterial properties to PBAT bioplastic. Therefore, these antibacterial biobased polymers derived from itaconic acid seem to be good candidates for applications related to active food packaging or even for biomedical devices. Novel biodegradable polymers derived from bio-sourced itaconic acid were incorporated as potential antimicrobial component in a biopolymeric blend formulation based on fully biodegradable poly(butylene adipate- co -terephthalate) (PBAT). [Display omitted] • Antibacterial biopolymers derived from itaconic acid display high activity against MRSA. • Antibacterial biopolymers are able to biodegrade fast under compost conditions. • Antibacterial biopolymers were incorporated in PBAT-based blend films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]