Biodegradable Antimicrobial Films for Food Packaging: Effect of Antimicrobials on Degradation

Abstract

The environmental problem generated by the massive consumption of plastics makes necessary the developing of biodegradable antimicrobial materials that can extend food shelf-life without having a negative impact on the environment. The current situation regarding the availability of biodegradable food packaging materials has been analysed, as well as different studies where antimicrobial compounds have been incorporated into the polymer matrix to control the growth of pathogenic or spoilage bacteria. Thus, the antimicrobial activity of active films based on different biodegradable polymers and antimicrobial compounds has been discussed. Likewise, relevant information on biodegradation studies carried out with different biopolymers in different environments (compost, soil, aquatic), and the effect of some antimicrobials on this behavior, are reviewed. In most of the studies, no relevant effect of the incorporated antimicrobials on the degradation of the polymer were observed, but some antimicrobials can delay the process. The changes in biodegradation pattern due to the presence of the antimicrobial are attributed to its influence on the microorganism population responsible for the process. More studies are required to know the specific influence of the antimicrobial compounds on the biodegradation behavior of polymers in different environments. No studies have been carried out or marine media to this end.

Biodegradation of PLA-PHBV Blend Films as Affected by the Incorporation of Different Phenolic Acids

“…In some of these studies [ 21 , 22 ], no changes in the film’s biodegradation behaviour were found, such as was observed when sodium propionate [ 21 ] or silicon oxide nanoparticles [ 22 ] were incorporated as antimicrobials into starch/PVA blends. Other authors showed that the effect of the antimicrobials on the biodegradation profiles of the films depended on the type and concentration of the antimicrobial compound [ 23 ]. Thus, these changes were greater when using non-volatile substances with strong antimicrobial power, such as silver species, which slowed down the degradation rate and reduced the degradation extent, suggesting a partial alteration of the compost inoculum.…”

“…Other authors [ 9 , 24 ] also showed that the presence of catechin [ 9 ] or silver nanoparticles [ 24 ] in PHBV-based films promoted a remarkable delay in the biodegradation process. The possible changes in the biodegradation pattern of the films when incorporating antimicrobials depended on their release kinetics into the medium, the sensitivity of the different microorganisms responsible for the degradative process and the dose of active compounds in the films [ 23 ].…”

Functional Properties of Gelatin/Polyvinyl Alcohol Films Containing Black Cumin Cake Extract and Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Produced via Casting Technique

“…Recently, some alternatives to traditional packaging materials have been created by adding antibacterial and antioxidant substances to biopolymers (starch, cellulose, chitosan, alginate, pullulan, dairy and soy proteins and gelatin) and synthetic polymers (polyvinyl alcohol—PVA, polylactic acid—PLA, polycaprolactone—PCL) [ 3 , 4 ]. Motelica et al [ 4 ] prepared alginate-based film enriched with silver nanoparticles and lemongrass essential oil as innovative packaging for cheese.…”

“…Interestingly, PVA, as a nontoxic, biocompatible, biodegradable specific synthetic polymer, can be mixed with gelatin (G) to provide a stable and resistant food packaging material [ 3 , 8 ]. In fact, some promising G/PVA blends enhanced with various additives were developed.…”

Development of Novel Thin Polycaprolactone (PCL)/Clay Nanocomposite Films with Antimicrobial Activity Promoted by the Study of Mechanical, Thermal, and Surface Properties

“…Medical applications in particular, such as PCL applied in drug-delivery systems [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ], medical devices using PCL for wound dressing [ 6 , 7 , 8 ], fixation devices [ 9 ] or in dentistry [ 10 , 11 ], as well as PCL included in tissue, bone, or blood vessel engineering [ 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ], are the most investigated areas. PCL also plays an important role in the field of biodegradable and antimicrobial polymeric food packaging materials because of the increasing awareness of environmental problems with plastic waste [ 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ].…”