Biodegradable poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) films incorporated with different levels of the antimicrobial peptide nisin were developed by melt processing. Structural, morphological, thermal, mechanical, and antimicrobial properties of the films were determined. The X-ray diffraction patterns exhibited decreasing levels of intensity at 2h values as the concentration of nisin increased. Scanning electron microscopy showed a heterogeneous morphology when higher amounts of nisin were incorporated. The antimicrobial films tested presented no significant differences in the melting temperature (123-1258C), and the crystallization temperature ranged from 69 to 758C. The addition of nisin caused no significant modification in tensile strength values. However, results of Young's modulus and deformation at break differed significantly among samples. Active films demonstrated inhibition against the Gram-positive bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. These results demonstrated that PBAT/nisin films produced by melt processing present a great potential for use as active food packaging materials aiming enhanced food safety. V C 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43212.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract