Blending polylactic acid with polyhydroxybutyrate: The effect on thermal, mechanical, and biodegradation properties

Statistical augmentation of polyhydroxybutyrate production by Isoptericola variabilis: Characterization, moulding, in vitro cytocompatibility and biodegradability evaluation

This study aimed to explore the production of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), a polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), which has been widely considered as a potential substitute for the synthetic polymers. Among 53 actinomycete isolates, 11 of them were found to be PHB positive and the quantity of PHB from the positive isolates varied from 10.5 to 29.82 wt% on a dry cell weight basis. A strain designated as PPLAT 012, accumulated relatively higher PHB and has been identified as Isoptericola variabilis by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. An effort has also been made to optimize the PHB production by the hyper-producing strain using the conventional, one-factor-at-a-time, and statistical response surface methodologies and the maximum PHB production (46.18%) in DSMZ medium, amended with 12% glucose and 9% potassium nitrate with a pH of 7.0. Further, the characteristic properties such as processability, cytocompatibility and biodegradability of the extracted PHB was also demonstrated. The physical properties of the recovered PHB was further improved by blending with PLA and the resultant blends were characterized. The present investigation has demonstrated that the isolate, Isoptericola variabilis, could be utilized as a potential source for the production of PHB with desirable characteristics, suitable for biomedical applications.

Study on the 3D printability of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate)/poly(lactic acid) blends with chain extender using fused filament fabrication

In this study, the 3D printability of a series of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV)/poly(lactic acid) (PLA) blends were investigated using fused filament fabrication (FFF). The studied blends suffered from poor 3D printability due to differences in compatibility and low thermal resistance. These shortcomings were addressed by incorporating a functionalized styrene-acrylate copolymer with oxirane moieties as a chain extender (CE). To enhance mechanical properties, the synergistic effect of 3D printing parameters such as printing temperature and speed, layer thickness and bed temperature were explored. Rheological analysis showed improvement in the 3D printability of PHBV:PLA:CE blend by allowing a higher printing temperature (220 °C) and sufficient printing speed (45 mm s⁻¹). The surface morphology of fractured tensile specimens showed good bonding between layers when a bed temperature of 60 °C was used and a layer thickness of 0.25 mm was designed. The optimized printing samples shown higher storage modulus and strength, resulting in stiffer and stronger parts. The crystallinity, morphology and performance of the 3D printed products were correlated to share key methods to improve the 3D printability of PHBV:PLA based blends which may be implemented in other biopolymer blends, and further highlight how process parameters enhance the mechanical performance of 3D printed products.

Biodegradable Polylactide-Poly(3-Hydroxybutyrate) Compositions Obtained via Blending under Shear Deformations and Electrospinning: Characterization and Environmental Application

Compositions of polylactide (PLA) and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) thermoplastic polyesters originated from the nature raw have been obtained by blending under shear deformations and electrospinning methods in the form of films and nanofibers as well as unwoven nanofibrous materials, respectively. The degrees of crystallinity calculated on the base of melting enthalpies and thermal transition temperatures for glassy state, cold crystallization, and melting point for individual biopolymers and ternary polymer blends PLA-PHB- poly(ethyleneglycol) (PEG) have been evaluated. It has been shown that the mechanical properties of compositions depend on the presence of plasticizers PEG with different molar masses in interval of 400-1000. The experiments on the action of mold fungi on the films have shown that PHB is a fully biodegradable polymer unlike PLA, whereas the biodegradability of the obtained composites is determined by their composition. The sorption activity of PLA-PHB nanofibers and unwoven nanofibrous PLA-PHB composites relative to water and oil has been studied and the possibility of their use as absorbents in wastewater treatment from petroleum products has been demonstrated.

Gas Transport Phenomena and Polymer Dynamics in PHB/PLA Blend Films as Potential Packaging Materials

Actually, in order to replace traditional fossil-based polymers, many efforts are devoted to the design and development of new and high-performance bioplastics materials. Poly(hydroxy alkanoates) (PHA_S) as well as polylactides are the main candidates as naturally derived polymers. The intention of the present study is to manufacture fully bio-based blends based on two polyesters: poly (3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) and polylactic acid (PLA) as real competitors that could be used to replace petrol polymers in packaging industry. Blends in the shape of films have been prepared by chloroform solvent cast solution methodology, at different PHB/PLA ratios: 1/0, 1/9, 3/7, 5/5, 0/1. A series of dynamic explorations have been performed in order to characterize them from a different point of view. Gas permeability to N₂, O₂, and CO₂ gases and probe (TEMPO) electron spin resonance (ESR) analyses were performed. Blend surface morphology has been evaluated by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) while their thermal behavior was analyzed by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) technique. Special attention was devoted to color and transparency estimation. Both probe rotation mobility and N₂, O₂, and CO₂ permeation have monotonically decreased during the transition from PLA to PHB, for all contents of bio-blends, namely because of transferring from PLA with lower crystallinity to PHB with a higher one. Consequently, the role of the crystallinity was elucidated. The temperature dependences for CO₂ permeability and diffusivity as well as for probe correlation time allowed the authors to evaluate the activation energy of both processes. The values of gas transport energy activation and TEMPO rotation mobility are substantially close to each other, which should testify that polymer segmental mobility determines the gas permeability modality.

Thermal Analysis of Aliphatic Polyester Blends with Natural Antioxidants

The aim of this research was to enhance thermal stability of aliphatic polyester blends via incorporation of selected natural antioxidants of plant origin. Thermal methods of analysis, including differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry (TGA), are significant tools for estimating the stabilization effect of polyphenols in a polymer matrix. Thermal stability was determined by analyzing thermogravimetric curves. Polymers with selected antioxidants degraded more slowly with rising temperature in comparison to reference samples without additives. This property was also confirmed by results obtained from differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), where the difference between the oxidation temperatures of pure material and polymer with natural stabilizers was observed. According to the results, the materials with selected antioxidants, including trans-chalcone, flavone and lignin have higher oxidation temperature than the pure ones, which confirms that chosen phytochemicals protect polymers from oxidation. Moreover, based on the colour change results or FT-IR spectra analysis, some of the selected antioxidants, including lignin and trans-chalcone, can be utilized as colorants or aging indicators. Taking into account the data obtained, naturally occurring antioxidants, including polyphenols, can be applied as versatile pro-ecological additives for biodegradable and bio-based aliphatic polyesters to obtain fully environmentally friendly materials dedicated for packaging industry.

Improving Mechanical Properties for Extrusion-Based Additive Manufacturing of Poly(Lactic Acid) by Annealing and Blending with Poly(3-Hydroxybutyrate)

Based on differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, polarizing microscope (POM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis, strategies to close the gap on applying conventional processing optimizations for the field of 3D printing and to specifically increase the mechanical performance of extrusion-based additive manufacturing of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) filaments by annealing and/or blending with poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) were reported. For filament printing at 210 °C, the PLA crystallinity increased significantly upon annealing. Specifically, for 2 h of annealing at 100 °C, the fracture surface became sufficiently coarse such that the PLA notched impact strength increased significantly (15 kJ m⁻²). The Vicat softening temperature (VST) increased to 160 °C, starting from an annealing time of 0.5 h. Similar increases in VST were obtained by blending with PHB (20 wt.%) at a lower printing temperature of 190 °C due to crystallization control. For the blend, the strain at break increased due to the presence of a second phase, with annealing only relevant for enhancing the modulus.

PLA/PHB Blends: Biocompatibilizer Effects

The purpose of this work was to formulate a fully bio-based blend with superior properties, based on two immiscible polymers: polylactic acid (PLA) and poly-hydroxy butyrate (PHB). To improve the miscibility between the polymeric phases, two different kinds of compatibilizers with a different chemical structure were used, namely, an ethylene oxide/propylene oxide block copolymer in the form of flakes and a mixture of two liquid surfactants with a variable lipophilic–hydrophilic index. The morphology of the blends and their thermal, mechanical, and rheological behavior were evaluated, aiming at assessing the influence of the selected compatibilizers on the microstructure and final properties of the systems. Morphological analyses of the compatibilized blends indicated that the liquid surfactant is more effective than the solid copolymer in inducing morphology refinement, as also suggested by results coming from rheological measurements. Furthermore, thermal analyses demonstrated that the presence of both kinds of compatibilizers induced an enhancement of the crystallinity content of blends. Finally, a remarkable increase of the elastic modulus values was obtained for the compatibilized blends as compared to the pure counterparts, with a consequent significant enhancement of the HDT values.

Combined effect of cellulose nanocrystals, carvacrol and oligomeric lactic acid in PLA_PHB polymeric films

Biodegradable multicomponent films based on poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) plasticized with oligomeric lactic acid (OLA), reinforced with synthetized cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) and modified by a natural additive with antimicrobial activity (carvacrol) were formulated and processed by extrusion. Morphological, mechanical, thermal, migration and barrier properties were tested to determine the effect of different components in comparison with neat poly(lactic acid). Results showed the positive effect of CNC in the five components based films, with the increase of the Young's modulus of the PLA_PHB_10Carv_15OLA, associated with an increase in the elongation at break (from 150% to 410%), by showing an OTR reduction of 67%. Disintegrability in compost conditions and enzymatic degradation were tested to evaluate the post-use of these films. All formulations disintegrated in less than 17 days, while proteinase K preferentially degraded the amorphous regions, and crystallinity degree of the nanocomposite films increased as a consequence of enzyme action.

Recent developments in the synthesis of poly(hydroxybutyrate) based biocomposites

Poly(hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) has become an attractive biomaterial in research and development for past few years. It is natural bio-based aliphatic polyester produced by many types of bacteria. Due to its biodegradable, biocompatible, and eco-friendly nature, PHB can be used in line with bioactive species. However, high production cost, thermal instability, and poor mechanical properties limit its desirable applications. So there is need to incorporate PHB with other materials or biopolymers for the development of some novel PHB based biocomposites for value addition. Many attempts have been employed to incorporate PHB with other biomaterials (or biopolymers) to develop sustainable biocomposites. In this review, some recent developments in the synthesis of PHB based biocomposites and their biomedical, packaging and tissue engineering applications have been focused. The development of biodegradable PHB based biocomposites with improved mechanical properties could be used to overcome its native limitations hence to open new possibilities for industrial applications.

Influence of Epoxidized Canola Oil (eCO) and Cellulose Nanocrystals (CNCs) on the Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB)-Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) Blends

Two major obstacles to utilizing polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB)-a biodegradable and biocompatible polymer-in commercial applications are its low tensile yield strength (<10 MPa) and elongation at break (~5%). In this work, we investigated the modification of the mechanical properties of PHB through the use of a variety of bio-derived additives. Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and sugarcane-sourced cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) were proposed as mechanical reinforcing elements, and epoxidized canola oil (eCO) was utilized as a green plasticizer. Zinc acetate was added to PHB and PLA blends in order to improve blending. Composites were mixed in a micro-extruder, and the resulting filaments were molded into 2-mm sheets utilizing a hot-press prior to characterization. The inclusion of the various additives was found to influence the crystallization process of PHB without affecting thermal stability. In general, the addition of PLA and, to a lesser degree, CNCs, resulted in an increase in the Young's modulus of the material, while the addition of eCO improved the strain at break. Overall, samples containing eCO and PLA (at concentrations of 10 wt %, and 25 wt %, respectively) demonstrated the best mechanical properties in terms of Young's modulus, tensile strength and strain at break.

A review on versatile applications of blends and composites of CNC with natural and synthetic polymers with mathematical modeling

Cellulose is world's most abundant, renewable and recyclable polysaccharide on earth. Cellulose is composed of both amorphous and crystalline regions. Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are extracted from crystalline region of cellulose. The most attractive feature of CNC is that it can be used as nanofiller to reinforce several synthetic and natural polymers. In this article, a comprehensive overview of modification of several natural and synthetic polymers using CNCs as reinforcer in respective polymer matrix is given. The immense activities of CNCs are successfully utilized to enhance the mechanical properties and to broaden the field of application of respective polymer. All the technical scientific issues have been discussed highlighting the recent advancement in biomedical and packaging field.

EPDM-based heat-shielding materials modified by hybrid elastomers of silicone or polyphosphazene

The erosion resistances of ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) insulations are often inadequate for advanced solid rocket motor (SRM) applications. EPDM modification by blending secondary matrixes is a feasible approach to improve the ablative properties of EPDM insulations. The addition of flexible inorganic hybrid rubbers as a secondary matrix, such as silicones and polyphosphazenes, may impart EPDM insulations with better ablative performance. The blends of EPDM/hybrid rubbers represent the state-of-the-art heat-shielding materials for SRM. In the present work, methyl-phenyl silicone/EPDM and poly(diaryloxyphosphazene)/EPDM insulation systems with various blending ratios of secondary matrixes have been prepared. The ablative properties of the insulations were examined by oxy-acetylene ablation tests, and the results showed that these properties could be enhanced accordingly by blending with hybrid rubbers under appropriate proportions. The unique charred layers resulting from the hybrid rubbers contributed to their excellent ablation properties. For example, the silicone/EPDM insulations exhibited a more significant improvement of ablation resistance properties. With a 1:1 blending ratio of silicone/EPDM, the linear ablation rate was 0.06 mm s−1 after 20 s of oxy-acetylene ablation. The enhancement in the ablative resistance was attributed to the charred layers with bunches of embedded compact microtubes with a length of 2–3 mm, which consisted of silicon carbide, silicon dioxide, and Si–O–C ceramics.

Poly (lactic acid) blends: Processing, properties and applications

Poly (lactic acid) or polylactide (PLA) is a commercial biobased, biodegradable, biocompatible, compostable and non-toxic polymer that has competitive material and processing costs and desirable mechanical properties. Thereby, it can be considered favorably for biomedical applications and as the most promising substitute for petroleum-based polymers in a wide range of commodity and engineering applications. However, PLA has some significant shortcomings such as low melt strength, slow crystallization rate, poor processability, high brittleness, low toughness, and low service temperature, which limit its applications. To overcome these limitations, blending PLA with other polymers is an inexpensive approach that could also tailor the final properties of PLA-based products. During the last two decades, researchers investigated the synthesis, processing, properties, and development of various PLA-based blend systems including miscible blends of poly l-lactide (PLLA) and poly d-lactide (PDLA), which generate stereocomplex crystals, binary immiscible/miscible blends of PLA with other thermoplastics, multifunctional ternary blends using a third polymer or fillers such as nanoparticles, as well as PLA-based blend foam systems. This article reviews all these investigations and compares the syntheses/processing-morphology-properties interrelationships in PLA-based blends developed so far for various applications.

Effect of Selected Commercial Plasticizers on Mechanical, Thermal, and Morphological Properties of Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate)/Poly(lactic acid)/Plasticizer Biodegradable Blends for Three-Dimensional (3D) Print

This paper explores the influence of selected commercial plasticizers structure, which are based on esters of citric acid, on mechanical and thermal properties of Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate)/Poly(lactic acid)/Plasticizer biodegradable blends. These plasticizers were first tested with respect to their miscibility with Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate)/Poly(lactic acid) (PHB/PLA) blends using a kneading machine. PHB/PLA/plasticizer blends in the weight ratio (wt %) of 60/25/15 were then prepared by single screw and corotating meshing twin screw extruders in the form of filament for further three-dimensional (3D) printing. Mechanical, thermal properties, and shape stability (warping effect) of 3D printed products can be improved just by the addition of appropriate plasticizer to polymeric blend. The goal was to create new types of eco-friendly PHB/PLA/plasticizers blends and to highly improve the poor mechanical properties of neat PHB/PLA blends (with majority of PHB) by adding appropriate plasticizer. Mechanical properties of plasticized blends were then determined by the tensile test of 3D printed test samples (dogbones), as well as filaments. Measured elongation at break rapidly enhanced from 21% for neat non-plasticized PHB/PLA blends (reference) to 328% for best plasticized blends in the form of filament, and from 5% (reference) to 187% for plasticized blends in the form of printed dogbones. The plasticizing effect on blends was confirmed by Modulated Differential Scanning Calorimetry. The study of morphology was performed by the Scanning Electron Microscopy. Significant problem of plasticized blends used to be also plasticizer migration, therefore the diffusion of plasticizers from the blends after 15 days of exposition to 110 °C in the drying oven was investigated as their measured weight loss. Almost all of the used plasticizers showed meaningful positive softening effects, but the diffusion of plasticizers at 110 °C exposition was quite extensive. The determination of the degree of disintegration of selected plasticized blend when exposed to a laboratory-scale composting environment was executed to roughly check the “biodegradability”.

Microstructural Behaviors of Matrices Based on Polylactic Acid and Polyhydroxyalkanoates

Individual films of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) and polylactic acid (PLA) and their blends were developed by solvent casting. PHA was obtained from activated sludges from a wastewater-treatment system at a laboratory scale. This work focused on analyzing the microstructural properties and thermal behaviors of individual films of PHA and PLA as well as those of their blends. The behaviors of the biodegradation processes of the individual films and blends were examined from a microstructural point of view. ATR-FTIR spectra indicated the existence of weak molecular interactions between the polymers. The formulation of blend films improved the crystallinity of PLA; additionally, it induced the polymer-recrystallization phenomenon, because crystallized PHA acted as a PLA-nucleating agent. This phenomenon explains the improvements in the films' water-vapor-barrier properties. The blends exposed to a biodegradation process showed an intermediate behavior between PLA and PHA, leading to a consistent basis for designing systems tailored to a particular purpose.

Recent Advances in Nanocomposites Based on Aliphatic Polyesters: Design, Synthesis, and Applications in Regenerative Medicine

In the last decade, biopolymer matrices reinforced with nanofillers have attracted great research efforts thanks to the synergistic characteristics derived from the combination of these two components. In this framework, this review focuses on the fundamental principles and recent progress in the field of aliphatic polyester-based nanocomposites for regenerative medicine applications. Traditional and emerging polymer nanocomposites are described in terms of polymer matrix properties and synthesis methods, used nanofillers, and nanocomposite processing and properties. Special attention has been paid to the most recent nanocomposite systems developed by combining alternative copolymerization strategies with specific nanoparticles. Thermal, electrical, biodegradation, and surface properties have been illustrated and correlated with the nanoparticle kind, content, and shape. Finally, cell-polymer (nanocomposite) interactions have been described by reviewing analysis methodologies such as primary and stem cell viability, adhesion, morphology, and differentiation processes.

Electrospun Oxygen Scavenging Films of Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) Containing Palladium Nanoparticles for Active Packaging Applications

This paper reports on the development and characterization of oxygen scavenging films made of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) containing palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs) prepared by electrospinning followed by annealing treatment at 160 °C. The PdNPs were modified with the intention to optimize their dispersion and distribution in PHB by means of two different surfactants permitted for food contact applications, i.e., hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS). Analysis of the morphology and characterization of the chemical, thermal, mechanical, and water and limonene vapor barrier properties and the oxygen scavenging capacity of the various PHB materials were carried out. From the results, it was seen that a better dispersion and distribution was obtained using CTAB as the dispersing aid. As a result, the PHB/PdNP nanocomposites containing CTAB provided also the best oxygen scavenging performance. These films offer a significant potential as new active coating or interlayer systems for application in the design of novel active food packaging structures.

Nanocomposites Based on Biodegradable Polymers

In the present review paper, our main results on nanocomposites based on biodegradable polymers (on a time scale from 2010 to 2018) are reported. We mainly focused our attention on commercial biodegradable polymers, which we mixed with different nanofillers and/or additives with the final aim of developing new materials with tunable specific properties. A wide list of nanofillers have been considered according to their shape, properties, and functionalization routes, and the results have been discussed looking at their roles on the basis of different adopted processing routes (solvent-based or melt-mixing processes). Two main application fields of nanocomposite based on biodegradable polymers have been considered: the specific interaction with stem cells in the regenerative medicine applications or as antimicrobial materials and the active role of selected nanofillers in food packaging applications have been critically revised, with the main aim of providing an overview of the authors' contribution to the state of the art in the field of biodegradable polymeric nanocomposites.

Polyhydroxybutyrate and phenolic compounds microalgae electrospun nanofibers: A novel nanomaterial with antibacterial activity

Polymer nanofibers produced by electrospinning are promising for use in food packaging because of their nanometric diameter, which provides a barrier to external conditions above the possible incorporation of the active compounds. The microalga Spirulina sp. LEB 18 synthesizes bioproducts, such as polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), which is biodegradable and has similar mechanical and thermal properties to polymers of petrochemical origin. Moreover, phenolic compounds of microalgae have antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant activities, which is a differential for the development of packaging. The objective of the study was to develop a nanomaterial with antibacterial action from bioproducts of microalgal origin. PHB nanofibers containing phenolic compounds presented average diameter of 810±85nm exhibited hydrophobicity, which gave protection to the food relative to the moisture outside the package. These nanofibers showed inhibition of the growth of Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 with a zone of 7.5±0.4mm. Thermal and mechanical properties have confirmed the potential applicability of this material as food packaging. This new nanomaterial combines a packaging function to protect products and to be biodegradable with the antibacterial activity that prevents the proliferation of microorganisms and ensures the quality and preservation of food.

Recent advances in the development of biodegradable PHB-based toughening materials: Approaches, advantages and applications

Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) is a natural biodegradable polymer that is produced by many types of bacteria as an intracellular energy storage material. Due to its numerous advantages such as biodegradability, biocompatibility, availability and with physical properties comparable to petroleum-based thermoplastics, PHB is a potential substitute in biomedical and packaging fields. However, several physical drawbacks, such as high production cost, thermal instability, and poor mechanical properties, due to secondary crystallization and slow nucleation rate, limit its competition with traditional plastics in industrial and biomedical applications. Thereby, many attempts have been employed to improve the material performance of toughened PHB so as to achieve greater competitiveness and sustainability. In this review, the most recent developments of PHB-based toughening materials are discussed with respect to their approaches and strategies, which includes: drawing and thermal treatment, blending with materials from natural sources and synthetic polymers, as well as forming reinforced composites with natural fibers and inorganic fillers. The alternation of PHB chemical structure to form various types of functional copolymers with enhanced materials performance is also summarized. The expanded utilization of these newly developed sophisticated PHB materials as engineering materials and the biomedical significance in different domains are also addressed.

Effect of Cellulose Nanocrystals and Bacterial Cellulose on Disintegrability in Composting Conditions of Plasticized PHB Nanocomposites

Poly(hydroxybutyrate) (PHB)-based films, reinforced with bacterial cellulose (BC) or cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) and plasticized using a molecular (tributyrin) or a polymeric plasticizer (poly(adipate diethylene)), were produced by solvent casting. Their morphological, thermal, wettability, and chemical properties were investigated. Furthermore, the effect of adding both plasticizers (20 wt % respect to the PHB content) and biobased selected nanofillers added at different contents (2 and 4 wt %) on disintegrability in composting conditions was studied. Results of contact angle measurements and calorimetric analysis validated the observed behavior during composting experiments, indicating how CNC aggregation, due to the hydrophilic nature of the filler, slows down the degradation rate but accelerates it in case of increasing content. In contrast, nanocomposites with BC presented an evolution in composting similar to neat PHB, possibly due to the lower hydrophilic character of this material. The addition of the two plasticizers contributed to a better dispersion of the nanoparticles by increasing the interaction between the cellulosic reinforcements and the matrix, whereas the increased crystallinity of the incubated samples in a second stage in composting provoked a reduction in the disintegration rate.

On the Use of PLA-PHB Blends for Sustainable Food Packaging Applications

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is the most used biopolymer for food packaging applications. Several strategies have been made to improve PLA properties for extending its applications in the packaging field. Melt blending approaches are gaining considerable interest since they are easy, cost-effective and readily available processing technologies at the industrial level. With a similar melting temperature and high crystallinity, poly(hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) represents a good candidate to blend with PLA. The ability of PHB to act as a nucleating agent for PLA improves its mechanical resistance and barrier performance. With the dual objective to improve PLAPHB processing performance and to obtain stretchable materials, plasticizers are frequently added. Current trends to enhance PLA-PHB miscibility are focused on the development of composite and nanocomposites. PLA-PHB blends are also interesting for the controlled release of active compounds in the development of active packaging systems. This review explains the most relevant processing aspects of PLA-PHB based blends such as the influence of polymers molecular weight, the PLA-PHB composition as well as the thermal stability. It also summarizes the recent developments in PLA-PHB formulations with an emphasis on their performance with interest in the sustainable food packaging field. PLA-PHB blends shows highly promising perspectives for the replacement of traditional petrochemical based polymers currently used for food packaging.

Synthesis of Nm-PHB (nanomelanin-polyhydroxy butyrate) nanocomposite film and its protective effect against biofilm-forming multi drug resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Melanin is a dark brown ubiquitous photosynthetic pigment which have many varied and ever expanding applications in fabrication of radio-protective materials, food packaging, cosmetics and in medicine. In this study, melanin production in a Pseudomonas sp. which was isolated from the marine sponge Tetyrina citirna was optimized employing one-factor at a time experiments and characterized for chemical nature and stability. Following sonication nucleated nanomelanin (Nm) particles were formed and evaluated for antibacterial and antioxidant properties. Nanocomposite film was fabricated using combinations (% w/v) of polyhydroxy butyrate-nanomelanin (PHB:Nm) blended with 1% glycerol. The Nm was found to be spherical in shape with a diameter of 100-140 nm and showed strong antimicrobial activity against both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. The Nm-PHB nanocomposite film was homogeneous, smooth, without any cracks, and flexible. XRD and DSC data indicated that the film was crystalline in nature, and was thermostable up to 281.87 °C. This study represents the first report on the synthesis of Nm and fabrication of Nm-PHB nanocomposite film which show strong protective effect against multidrug resistant Staphyloccoccus aureus. Thus this Nm-PHB nanocomposite film may find utility as packaging material for food products by protecting the food products from oxidation and bacterial contamination.