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The prospective application of polyhydroxybutyrate-co-valerate (PHB-VA) as a biodegradable polymer for packaging through the incorporation of triclosan (TCS) was studied via thermal, mechanical, and antimicrobial studies. The solvent-casting technique was used for the preparation of PHB-VA-TCS blend films. The blend films were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and mechanical properties measurements. The addition of TCS to PHB-VA resulted in increased film stretchability along with improved flexibility. The crystallization and melting temperatures of PHB-VA decreased with increasing concentration of TCS. Scanning electron microscopy images showed a homogeneous dispersion of TCS in PHB-VA. The bactericidal activities of the PHB-VA-TCS blend films were investigated against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus by the disc-diffusion method. The blend films exhibited higher antibacterial activities with increasing concentration of TCS. We concluded from the study that TCS could be successfully incorporated into PHB-VA to obtain flexible antimicrobial films for packaging applications.

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