Abstract
Traditional packaging made from non-renewable compounds such as petroleum has a negative impact on the environment, which has led to a growing body of research on biodegradable packaging. This paper details the characterization of a biocomposite which was made from cassava bran, coffee husk, and water (BCCW). After this, a layer of polylactic acid (PLA) was added, mixed with nisaplin 1000UI, and 8, 10, 12% concentrations of oregano (Origanum vulgare L) essential oil (OVEO) in order to create an active biocomposite (AB) which could be used as an antimicrobial material in the packaging of pork. In vitro inhibitory effects were evaluated against Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium. After obtaining the active biocomposite, the characterization was performed by means of Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Water Vapor Permeability (WVP), a Mechanical Property analysis, Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Using the concentration with the highest inhibition against pathogenic bacteria, antimicrobial tests were carried out after the application of the AB in pork meat for 0, 1, 3, 5, and 10 days. Inhibition tests against pathogenic bacteria showed that nisin had a greater effect on Gram positive bacteria, while OVEO had an effect on both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. FT-IR analysis allowed for the characterization of the molecular interactions of OVEO and nisin in the matrix compounds of the different biocomposites by identifying and interpreting their respective vibration bands. According to the statistical analysis, the different concentrations of the biocomposites affect WVP (p <0.05). BCCW showed the highest permeability to water vapor, whereas the other treatments did not show significant differences. The mechanical properties test of the AB showed that the different treatments had a significant effect (p <0.05) on the maximum flexural strength and flexural modulus. These values decreased with the application of the PLA layer, the concentrations of the biocomposites did not have a significant maximum deformation effect (p> 0.05). The DSC test on the ABs showed two melting peaks and an increase in the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the PLA, a finding that indicates greater thermal stability in the ABs. SEM images revealed that the nisaplin and OVEO particles were uniformly distributed in the PLA polymer matrix on the surface of the ABs. The ABs showed a significant reduction in Listeria monocytogenes in pork as of day 3 and in the other pathogens as of the 10th day. The biocomposite containing OVEO and nisaplin, showed good potential to be used to food packaging.
Highlights
IntroductionActive biocomposite containing antimicrobial agents perishable food. One important reason for innovation in food packaging industry is the increasing problem of foodborne microbial outbreaks
Consumer concern caused by improper disposal of plastic waste and limited resources in the petrochemical industry has led to the research and development of biodegradable options as alternatives to conventional plastic materials, e. g. the production of biocomposites, using the combination of a renewable, biodegradable polymer with a natural fiber and a starch polymer shows a promising, sustainable alternative to petroleum-based plastics
The addition of OVEO prevents the growth of pathogenic bacteria in vitro
Summary
Active biocomposite containing antimicrobial agents perishable food. One important reason for innovation in food packaging industry is the increasing problem of foodborne microbial outbreaks. The use of cellulosic waste and agricultural by-products in packaging as a source of sustainable fillers, represents an attractive and sustainable means of added value These by-products are attractive due to their natural abundance, low density, high specific modulus, and biodegradability, their high hydrophilicity and thermal instability are the main drawbacks for their application as plastic fillers (George et al, 2016). Zhou et al (2019) have shown that the addition of a hydrophobic Polylactic Acid (PLA) layer over a hydrophilic starch biopolymer can improve its mechanical and barrier properties, and prevent thermal processes from degrading the antimicrobial compounds Sensitive compounds such as nisin and OVEO have been studied in cold conditions using the casting method (Jin et al, 2010b; Salmieri et al, 2014b; Silveira et al, 2020), solvents and ultrasonic treatment (Woraprayote et al, 2018), and emulsion films (Zhu et al, 2018). In front of the presented the main objective of this research paper was to develop an active biocomposite using natural fibers and a layer of PLA/OVEO/nisin, and characterize its properties and test its effect on typical pathogenic bacteria in pork meat
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