Processing, structure, property relationships and release kinetics of electrospun PLA/Carvacrol membranes

An innovative functional compatibility strategy for poly (lactic acid) and polypropylene carbonate blends to achieve superior toughness, degradability, and optical properties

This study, for the first time, unveils the potential of dibutyl itaconate (DBI) in enhancing the compatibility between PLA (poly (lactic acid)) and PPC (polypropylene carbonate), systematically investigating the effects of DBI amount on the thermal, optical, rheological, mechanical, and degradation properties and microstructure of the PLA/PPC/DBI blends. The results showed that DBI could chemically react with PLA and PPC, forming a PLA-co-DBI-co-PPC copolymer structure, thereby improving the compatibility between PLA and PPC. When the DBI amount reached 8 wt%, only one Tg was observed in the blend system, and no distinct phase interface was visible in the fracture surface of the blend specimens. This indicated that at this DBI amount, the PLA and PPC had transitioned from a partially compatible system to a fully compatible system. With the increase in DBI amount in the system, the elongation at break and notched impact strength of the blends initially increased and then decreased, while the storage modulus, loss modulus, and complex viscosity showed a gradual downward trend. When the DBI amount increased to 10 wt%, the flexibility of the blends reached its peak, with the values rising to 494.7 % and 8494.1 J/m2, respectively, representing 13.7 times and 2.5 times those of the neat PLA/PPC blends. At this point, the impact specimens exhibited significant plastic flow in the direction of force, showing distinct ductile fracture characteristics. Meanwhile, the degradation performance of the PLA/PPC blends increased with the addition of DBI. The introduction of DBI effectively facilitated the penetration of water molecules into the PLA/PPC molecular chains, enhancing the hydrolysis of ester bonds, leading to a maximum mass loss rate of 84.1 %, which was significantly higher than the 20.3 % of the neat PLA/PPC blends. In addition, the addition of DBI significantly reduced the haze of the blends while maintaining high light transmittance, demonstrating excellent optical properties (light transmittance remained above 92.4 %, and haze decreased from 37.1 % to 11.1 %). In conclusion, this study provides a new approach for the development of high-performance PLA-based biodegradable composites. The resulting blends exhibit excellent toughness, degradation performance, and optical properties, significantly enhancing their application potential in fields such as disposable products, packaging, agriculture, and 3D printing materials.

Cornstarch aerogels with thymol, citronellol, carvacrol, and eugenol prepared by supercritical CO2- assisted techniques for potential biomedical applications

This study focuses on the development of bioactive materials using environmentally friendly techniques, renewable, biocompatible, and biodegradable polysaccharide, as well as natural bioactive compounds (NBCs) found in plant extracts. First, cornstarch aerogels with a porosity of 86 % and a specific surface area of 225 m2/g were produced via supercritical CO2- assisted drying. Further, thymol, citronellol, carvacrol, and eugenol were incorporated into the aerogels by supercritical CO2- assisted impregnation, which allowed variation in loadings of NBCs (12.8-17.6 %). Interaction between cornstarch aerogels and NBCs determined impregnation rate, pore wall thickness (in the range 18-95 nm), liquid absorption capacity (from 265 to 569 %), dehydration mass loss, and release in phosphate-buffered saline. Controlled release of NBCs was maintained over a 3-day period. Moreover, impregnated aerogels showed a significant antioxidant effect with the highest value for DPPH radical inhibition of 25.5 % determined for the aerogels impregnated with eugenol. Notable antimicrobial activity against tested Gram-negative bacteria, Gram-positive bacteria, and fungi was also observed, being the highest for thymol-loaded aerogel with the diameter of the inhibition zones of up to 37.5 mm. This work shows a promising green approach for the production of bioactive two-component starch-based materials for potential applications in skin infection treatment.

Preparation and Characterization of Poly(lactic acid) Membranes and Films Coated with Polyaniline for Potential Use in Environmental Remediation

This research outlines the fabrication of polymeric membranes and films of poly(lactic acid) (PLA), prepared via electrospinning and extrusion, respectively. These materials were subsequently coated with polyaniline (PANi) by using the in situ chemical polymerization technique. Scanning electron microscopy micrographs revealed that the best coatings were achieved when 3 and 30 min of contact time with the monomeric solution were used for the membrane and film, respectively. Additionally, Fourier transform infrared spectra, thermogravimetric studies, and contact angle measurements demonstrated proper interaction between PLA and PANi. The findings of these studies suggest that PLA membranes and films can serve as suitable substrates for the deposition of PANi, and the composite materials hold potential for use in environmental remediation applications.

Antifungal activity of poly(lactic acid) nanofibers containing the essential oil from Corymbia citriodora Hook or the monoterpenes β-citronellol and citronellal against mycotoxigenic fungi

Food contamination by mycotoxigenic fungi is one of the principal factors that cause food loss and economic losses in the food industry. The objective of this work was to incorporate the essential oil from Corymbia citriodora Hook and its constituents citronellal and β-citronellol into poly(lactic acid) nanofibers; to characterize the nanofibers by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry; to evaluate the antifungal activity by the fumigation method; to evaluate the antimycotoxigenic activity against Aspergillus carbonarius, Aspergillus ochraceus, Aspergillus westerdijkiae, Aspergillus flavus, and Aspergillus parasiticus; and to evaluate the morphology of these microorganisms. All the nanofibers had a regular, smooth, and continuous morphology. FTIR analyses confirmed that the active ingredients were incorporated into the polymer matrix. All samples exhibited antifungal and ochratoxigenic inhibitory activities of up to 100% and 99%, respectively, with the best results observed for (PLA + 30 wt% β-citronellol) nanofibers and (PLA + 30 wt% citronellal) nanofibers. However, 100% inhibition of the production of aflatoxin B1 and B2 was not observed. The images obtained by SEM indicated that the nanofibers caused damage to the hyphae, caused a decrease in the production of spores, and caused deformation, rupture, and non-formation of the conid head, might be an alternative for the control of mycotoxigenic fungi.

Antibacterial aroma compounds as property modifiers for electrospun biopolymer nanofibers of proteins and polysaccharides: A review

Electrospinning is one of the most promising techniques for producing biopolymer nanofibers for various applications. Proteins and polysaccharides, among other biopolymers, are attractive substrates for electrospinning due to their favorable biocompatibility and biodegradability. However, there are still challenges to improve the mechanical properties, water sensitivity and biological activity of biopolymer nanofibers. Therefore, these strategies such as polymer blending, application of cross-linking agents, the addition of nanoparticles and bioactive components, and modification of biopolymer have been developed to enhance the properties of biopolymer nanofibers. Among them, antibacterial aroma compounds (AACs) from essential oils are widely used as bioactive components and property modifiers in various biopolymer nanofibers to enhance the functionality, hydrophobicity, thermal properties, and mechanical properties of nanofibers, which depends on the electrospun strategy of AACs. This review summarizes the recently reported antimicrobial activities and applications of AACs, and compares the effects of four electrospinning strategies for encapsulating AACs on the properties and applications of nanofibers. The authors focus on the correlation of the main characteristics of these biopolymer electrospun nanofibers with the encapsulation strategy of AACs in the nanofibers. Moreover, this review also particularly emphasizes the impact of the characteristics of these nanofibers on their application field of antimicrobial materials.

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of nanofibre mats containing Calendula officinalis extract as a wound dressing

OBJECTIVE

The present study aims to create Calendula officinalis-loaded nanofibre-based wound dressing materials to enhance the wound healing process. Calendula officinalis is an annual herb native to the Mediterranean region. It is antipyretic, antifungal, antioedema, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory (wound, oral and pharyngeal mucosa), antispasmodic, treats chronic ocular surface diseases, acts as a stimulant and a diaphoretic. It is also used in the prevention of acute dermatitis, and in the treatment of gastrointestinal ulcers, wounds and burns.

METHOD

Electrospinning is an effective method for creating nano- and microfibres for biomedical applications. Calendula officinalis (CA) of various concentrations 5%, 10% and 15%)-loaded polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/sodium alginate (SAlg) nanofibre mats were successfully produced via blend electrospinning. Nanofibre mats were evaluated using: scanning electron microscopy (SEM); Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis; gel content; water vapour transmission rate (WVTR); swelling ratio; in vitro drug release studies; viability evaluation (cell culture and MTT assay); and an in vivo study using male Wistar rats. Rats were divided into three groups (n=3). In each group, rats were inflicted with five full-thickness wounds on the back and were treated with sterile gauze (control), PVA/SAlg nanofibre dressing (CA-free control), PVA/SAlg/CA5%, PVA/SAlg/CA10%, and PVA/SAlg/CA15% nanofibre dressing.

RESULTS

Results showed that the obtained fibres were smooth with no surface aggregates, indicating complete incorporation of Calendula officinalis. The release of Calendula officinalis from loaded PVA/SAlg fibre mats in the first four hours was burst released and then was constant. PVA/SAlg and PVA/SAlg/CA nanofibres were not toxic to L929 mouse fibroblasts and supported cell attachment and proliferation. The results of the in vivo study showed that the PVA/SAlg/CA10% nanofibre dressing had a higher full-thickness wound healing closure rate compared with the control group on days seven, 14 and 21 after treatment.

CONCLUSION

The results of this evaluation showed that PVA/SAlg/CA nanofibrous mats could be a candidate as an effective wound dressing; however, the percentage of CA in this compound needs further investigation.

Combining carvacrol and nisin in biodegradable films for antibacterial packaging applications

In this work, the feasibility of antibacterial biopolymeric films containing carvacrol (CRV) and a nisin commercial formulation (Nis) for potential food packaging applications was investigated. As polymer matrix, a commercial biodegradable polymer formulation of Mater-Bi (MB) was chosen due to its significant food packaging applications. CRV and Nis were chosen due to their well-established antibacterial properties and their potential synergistic effect. MB/CRV, MB/Nis, and MB/CRV/Nis systems were produced by melt mixing and compression molding. The mechanical properties of the films were evaluated by tensile tests. Differential scanning calorimetry was assessed aiming at investigating the effect of the two compounds and their mixture on the thermal properties of MB. The release profile of CRV and Nis from the MB-based films was evaluated in water at 4 °C by UV-Vis measurements and it was fitted with a power-law model. The antibacterial activity of MB-based films was tested in vitro against Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella enteritidis, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus. The combination of CRV and Nis strongly affected the properties of the MB-based films and ensured higher antibacterial activity if compared to MB/CRV and MB/Nis systems.

Physical and biological properties of electrospun poly(d,l-lactide)/nanoclay and poly(d,l-lactide)/nanosilica nanofibrous scaffold for bone tissue engineering

Electrospun scaffolds exhibiting high physical performances with the ability to support cell attachment and proliferation are attracting more and more scientific interest for tissue engineering applications. The inclusion of inorganic nanoparticles such as nanosilica and nanoclay into electrospun biopolymeric matrices can meet these challenging requirements. The silica and clay incorporation into polymeric nanofibers has been reported to enhance and improve the mechanical properties as well as the osteogenic properties of the scaffolds. In this work, for the first time, the physical and biological properties of polylactic acid (PLA) electrospun mats filled with different concentrations of nanosilica and nanoclay were evaluated and compared. The inclusion of the particles was evaluated through morphological investigations and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The morphology of nanofibers was differently affected by the amount and kind of fillers and it was correlated to the viscosity of the polymeric suspensions. The wettability of the scaffolds, evaluated through wet contact angle measurements, slightly increased for both the nanocomposites. The crystallinity of the systems was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry highlighting the nucleating action of both nanosilica and nanoclay on PLA. Scaffolds were mechanically characterized with tensile tests to evaluate the reinforcing action of the fillers. Finally, cell culture assays with pre-osteoblastic cells were conducted on a selected composite scaffold in order to compare the cell proliferation and morphology with that of neat PLA scaffolds. Based on the results, we can convince that nanosilica and nanoclay can be both considered great potential fillers for electrospun systems engineered for bone tissue regeneration.

Development of Bio-Composites with Enhanced Antioxidant Activity Based on Poly(lactic acid) with Thymol, Carvacrol, Limonene, or Cinnamaldehyde for Active Food Packaging

The new trend in food packaging films is to use biodegradable or bio-based polymers, such as poly(lactic acid), PLA with additives such as thymol, carvacrol, limonene or cinnamaldehyde coming from natural resources (i.e., thyme, oregano, citrus fruits and cinnamon) in order to extent foodstuff shelf-life and improve consumers’ safety. Single, triple and quadruple blends of these active compounds in PLA were prepared and studied using the solvent-casting technique. The successful incorporation of the active ingredients into the polymer matrix was verified by FTIR spectroscopy. XRD and DSC data revealed that the crystallinity of PLA was not significantly affected. However, the Tg of the polymer decreased, verifying the plasticization effect of all additives. Multicomponent mixtures resulted in more intense plasticization. Cinnamaldehyde was found to play a catalytic role in the thermal degradation of PLA shifting curves to slightly lower temperatures. Release of thymol or carvacrol from the composites takes place at low rates at temperatures below 100 °C. A combined diffusion-model was found to simulate the experimental release profiles very well. Higher antioxidant activity was noticed when carvacrol was added, followed by thymol and then cinnamaldehyde and limonene. From the triple-component composites, higher antioxidant activity measured in the materials with thymol, carvacrol and cinnamaldehyde.

Flexible mats as promising antimicrobial systems via integration of Thymus capitatus (L.) essential oil into PLA

Aim: To develop electrospun mats loaded with Thymus capitatus (L.) essential oil (ThymEO) and to study their morpho-mechanical and antimicrobial properties. Materials & methods: Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) mats containing ThymEO were prepared by electrospinning. The effect of ThymEO on the morpho-mechanical properties of fibers was assayed by scanning electron microscopy and dynamometer measurements. The antimicrobial activity of ThymEO delivered either in liquid or vapor phase was assessed through killing curves and invert Petri dishes method. The cytotoxicity was also investigated. Results: The mechanical properties were enhanced by integrating ThymEO into PLA. Both liquid and vapors of ThymEO released from mats caused reductions of microbial viable cells. Negligible cytotoxicity was demonstrated. Conclusion: PLA/ThymEO delivery systems could be suitable for treating microbial infections.

Controlled Release of Chlorogenic Acid from Polyvinyl Alcohol/Poly(γ-Glutamic Acid) Blended Electrospun Nanofiber Mats with Potential Applications in Diabetic Foot Treatment

This work biosynthesized poly(γ-glutamic acid) (γ-PGA) produced by Bacillus licheniformis ATCC-9945a. This material was utilized to prepare electrospun nanofibers with solutions of 10% polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) (w/v) mixed with γ-PGA at 5 and 10% w/v, intended as a wound dressing for diabetic foot treatment. These solutions were loaded with chlorogenic acid (CGA), an active hypoglycemic agent. Morphological analysis showed a decrease in size of the fibers with the combination of PVA/γ-PGA compared to pure PVA nanofibers, which was attributed to the hydrogen bonding interactions between the glutaraldehyde vapors, γ-PGA, and PVA that permitted nanofiber cross-linking and allowed CGA release. The in vitro release analysis showed that the PVA membranes reached 28% delivery after the first 24 h. Notably, the nanofiber mat with PVA blended with 5% γ-PGA reached 57% delivery, and the PVA nanofiber with 10% γ-PGA reached 66% release after the same amount of time. The rate constant for the release kinetics showed that PVA with 5% γ-PGA had a higher value than that of the other samples, reaching saturation first.

Assessing the efficiency of essential oil and active compounds/poly (lactic acid) microcapsules against common foodborne pathogens

Essential oils' active compounds present great potential as a bactericidal agent in active packaging. The encapsulation in polymeric walls promotes their protection against external agents besides allowing controlled release. This work produced PLA capsules with three different active compounds, Cinnamomum cassia essential oil (CEO), eugenol (EEO), and linalool (LEO), by emulsion solvent evaporation method. Characterizations included SEM, Zeta potential, FTIR, TGA, and bactericidal activity against E. coli, S. aureus, L. monocytogenes, and Salmonella. The active compounds showed microbiological activity against all pathogens. CEO capsules showed superior colloidal stability. The active compounds' presence in all capsules was confirmed by FTIR analysis, with possible physical interaction between CEO, EEO, and the polymeric matrix, while LEO had a possible chemical interaction with PLA. TGA analysis showed a plasticizing effect of active compounds, and the loading efficiency was 39.7%, 50.7%, and 22.3% for CEO-PLA, EEO-PLA, and LEO-PLA, respectively. The capsules presented two release stages, sustaining activity against pathogens for up to 28 days, indicating a satisfactory internal morphology. This study presented methodology for encapsulation of antimicrobial compounds that can be suitable for active food packaging. CEO-PLA capsules regarding stability and antibacterial activity achieved the best results.

Innovative, ecofriendly biosorbent-biodegrading biofilms for bioremediation of oil- contaminated water

Immobilization of microorganisms capable of degrading specific contaminants significantly promotes bioremediation processes. In this study, innovative and ecofriendly biosorbent-biodegrading biofilms have been developed in order to remediate oil-contaminated water. This was achieved by immobilizing hydrocarbon-degrading gammaproteobacteria and actinobacteria on biodegradable oil-adsorbing carriers, based on polylactic acid and polycaprolactone electrospun membranes. High capacities for adhesion and proliferation of bacterial cells were observed by scanning electron microscopy. The bioremediation efficiency of the systems, tested on crude oil and quantified by gas chromatography, showed that immobilization increased hydrocarbon biodegradation by up to 23 % compared with free living bacteria. The resulting biosorbent biodegrading biofilms simultaneously adsorbed 100 % of spilled oil and biodegraded more than 66 % over 10 days, with limited environmental dispersion of cells. Biofilm-mediated bioremediation, using eco-friendly supports, is a low-cost, low-impact, versatile tool for bioremediation of aquatic systems.

The Effects of Nanoclay on the Mechanical Properties, Carvacrol Release and Degradation of a PLA/PBAT Blend

The formulation of polymeric films endowed with the abilities of controlled release of antimicrobials and biodegradability is the latest trend of food packaging. Biodegradable polymer (Bio-Flex^®)-based nanocomposites containing carvacrol as an antimicrobial agent, and a nanoclay as a filler, were processed into blown films. The presence of such hybrid loading, while not affecting the overall filmability of the neat matrix, led to enhanced mechanical properties, with relative increments up to +70% and +200% in terms of elastic modulus and elongation at break. FTIR/ATR analysis and release tests pointed out that the presence of nanoclay allowed higher carvacrol loading efficiency, reasonably hindering its volatilization during processing. Furthermore, it also mitigated the burst delivery, thereby enabling a more controlled release of the antimicrobial agent. The results of mass loss tests indicated that all the formulations showed a rather fast degradation with mass losses ranging from 37.5% to 57.5% after 876 h. The presence of clay and carvacrol accelerated the mass loss rate of Bio-Flex^®, especially when added simultaneously, thus indicating an increased biodegradability. Such ternary systems could be, therefore, particularly suitable as green materials for food packaging applications, and for antimicrobial wrapping applications.

Natural Antibacterial Reagents (Centella, Propolis, and Hinokitiol) Loaded into Poly[(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate-co-(R)-3-hydroxyhexanoate] Composite Nanofibers for Biomedical Applications

Centella asiatica, propolis, and hinokitiol, as natural antibacterial reagents, were integrated into the poly[(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate-co-(R)-3-hydroxyhexanoate] (PHBH) polymer to produce antibacterial wound dressings, using electrospinning process. The results showed that the fiber diameters and surface morphology of PHBH composite nanofibers were influenced by the addition of ethanol–centella (EC), methanol–centella (MC), ethanol–propolis (EP), and ethanol–hinokitiol (EH) at various ratios compared to pristine PHBH nanofibers. From FT-IR, the nanofibrous samples with higher contents of natural antibacterial substances showed the peaks of carboxylic acid, aromatic ring, and tropolone carbon ring from centella, propolis, and hinokitiol, respectively. Furthermore, the tensile strength of neat PHBH nanofibers was increased from 8.00 ± 0.71 MPa up to 16.35 ± 1.78 MPa by loading of propolis (EP) 7% into PHBH. X-ray analysis explained that the loading of propolis (EP) was also able to increase the crystallinity in PHBH composite nanofibers from 47.0% to 54.5%. The antibacterial results demonstrated that PHBH composite nanofibers containing natural antibacterial products were potent inhibitors against the growth of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, amongst them hinokitiol and propolis proved to be the most effective. Additionally, the release studies displayed that centella and hinokitiol had faster release from PHBH composite nanofibers in comparison to propolis.

Effect of hydroxyapatite concentration and size on morpho-mechanical properties of PLA-based randomly oriented and aligned electrospun nanofibrous mats

The growing demand for nanofibrous biocomposites able to provide peculiar properties requires systematic investigations of processing-structure-property relationships. Understanding the morpho-mechanical properties of an electrospun scaffold as a function of the filler features and mat microstructure can aid in designing these systems. In this work, the reinforcing effect of micrometric and nanometric hydroxyapatite particles in polylactic acid-based electrospun scaffold presenting random and aligned fibers orientation, was evaluated. The particles incorporation was investigated trough Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy in attenuated total reflectance. The morphology of the nanofibers was analyzed through scanning electron microscopy and it was correlated with the viscosity of polymeric solutions studied by rheological measurements. Scaffolds were mechanical characterized with tensile tests in order to find a correlation between the preparation method and the strength of the mats. The influence of hydroxyapatite particles on the crystallinity of the composites was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry. Finally, cell culture assays with pre-osteoblatic cells were conducted on a selected composite scaffold in order to compare the cell proliferation and morphology with that of polylactic acid scaffolds. Based on the results, we can prove that polylactic acid/hydroxyapatite composites can be one of the biomaterials with the greatest potential for bone tissue regeneration.

Encapsulation of Fatty Oils into Electrospun Nanofibers for Cosmetic Products with Antioxidant Activity

Active compounds derived from pomegranate and sea-buckthorn were encapsulated into polylactide (PLA-based fibers) and poly(vinyl-pirrolidone) (PVP-based fibers) nanofibers using electrospinning technique. The focus was on the antioxidant activity of prepared nonwovens. Morphology, thermal, and mechanical properties were also examined. Due to the different physical and chemical properties of the basic polymers, the obtained results indicate that PLA-based fibers have better antioxidant activity than PVP-based ones. All prepared samples were formed from bead-less continuous fibers networks, but in the case of PLA-based samples some small irregularities in the structure occurred. Mechanical properties were improved with the addition of active compounds in most of the cases, while thermal properties were slightly affected. Preserved antioxidant activity of active compounds by encapsulation and good material properties significant for manipulation, make these functional materials promising candidates for application in cosmetics.

Design and Characterization of PLA Bilayer Films Containing Lignin and Cellulose Nanostructures in Combination With Umbelliferone as Active Ingredient

Poly (lactic acid) (PLA) bilayer films, containing cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) or lignin nanoparticles (LNP) and Umbelliferone (UMB) were extruded and successfully layered by thermo-compression starting from monolayer films. Lignocellulosic nanostructures were used in PLA based film as nanofillers at 3 wt.%, while UMB was used as active ingredient (AI) at 15 wt.%. The effects of processing techniques, presence, typology and content of lignocellulosic nanoparticles have been analyzed and thermal, morphological, mechanical and optical characterization of PLA nanocomposites have been made. Furthermore, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) studies evaluated the presence of nanofillers and AI at chemical level. Bilayer formulations showed a good interfacial adhesion and improved stress at break with respect of PLA monolayers, although they were less stretchable and transparent. Data obtained from thermal, colorimetric and transparency investigations underlined that the presence of lignocellulosic nanofillers and AI in PLA monolayer and bilayer films induced relevant alterations in terms of overall color properties and thermal stability, while antioxidant activity of umbelliferone was enhanced by the addition of lignin in produced materials.

Antimicrobial additives for poly(lactic acid) materials and their applications: current state and perspectives

Poly(lactic acid)-based antimicrobial materials received considerable attention as promising systems to control microbial growth. The remarkable physicochemical properties of PLA such as renewability, biodegradability, and US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for clinical use open up interesting perspectives for application in food packaging and biomedical materials. Nowadays, there is an increasing consumer demands for fresh, high-quality, and natural foods packaged with environmentally friendly materials that prolong the shelf life. The incorporation of antimicrobial agents into PLA-based polymers is likely to lead to the next generation of packaging materials. The development of antimicrobial PLA materials as a delivery system or coating for biomedical devices is also advantageous in order to reduce possible dose-dependent side effects and limit the phenomena of antibiotic resistance. This mini-review summarizes the most recent advances made in antimicrobial PLA-based polymers including their preparation, biocidal action, and applications. It also highlights the potential of PLA systems as efficient stabilizers-carriers of various kinds of antimicrobial additives including essential oils and other natural compounds, active particles and nanoparticles, and conventional and synthetic molecules.