Physical Properties and Antimicrobial Activity of a Poly(Lactic Acid)/Poly(Trimethylene Carbonate) Film Incorporated with Thymol
Thymol (TH), which has antimicrobial effect on many food pathogens, was incorporated as antimicrobial agent into composite poly (lactic acid)/poly (trimethylene carbonate)(PLA-PTMC) films. Antimicrobial active films based on PLA-PTMC were prepared by incorporating thymol at five different concentrations: 0, 3, 6, 9 and 12 %(w/w). The mechanical characterization, water vapor permeability (WVP), and antimicrobial activity of all formulations composite film were carried out. A decrease in elastic modulus was obtained for the active composite film compared with neat PLA-PTMC film. The presence of thymol decreased water vapor permeability, with a significant antimicrobial activity. Antimicrobial activities of films were tested against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aurous, Listeria, Bacillus subtilis, and Salmonella. Increasing amount of the thymol in the film caused a significant increase in inhibitory zones. These results suggest that thymol incorporated PLA-PTMC films have a prospectively potential in antimicrobial food packaging.