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. 2019 Dec 27;9(1):20236.
doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-56757-5.

Development of a biodegradable polycaprolactone film incorporated with an antimicrobial agent via an extrusion process

Ji Sou Lyu  1 , Jung-Soo Lee  1 , Jaejoon Han  2   3
Affiliations

Development of a biodegradable polycaprolactone film incorporated with an antimicrobial agent via an extrusion process

Ji Sou Lyu et al. Sci Rep. .

Abstract

In the present study, polycaprolactone (PCL) composite films incorporated with various concentrations of grapefruit seed extract (GSE) as an antimicrobial agent were prepared using a twin-screw extruder. Physical characteristics as well as antimicrobial properties of the PCL/GSE composite films were analyzed. The results showed that the surface color of the films gradually changed with increasing GSE concentration. Fourier transform infrared spectra indicated no significant structural changes such as chemical bond formation between PCL and GSE. Thermal properties were slightly affected due to GSE incorporation. Crystallinity of the composite films decreased as the amount of GSE increased. In vitro analysis indicated that the antimicrobial activity of the PCL/GSE composite films increased as the GSE concentration increased, with a 5% concentration showing the strongest inhibitory activity against Listeria monocytogenes, with 5.8-log reduction in bacterial count. Application testing of the films was carried out for cheese packaging, and biodegradation of the samples was assessed via soil burial testing. Our findings confirmed the potential use of PCL/GSE composite films as biodegradable food packaging material with antimicrobial activity.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
FT-IR spectra of pure PCL, GSE, and PCL/GSE composite films. PCL: polycaprolactone; GSE: grapefruit seed extract.
Figure 2
Figure 2
TGA graphs of pure PCL and PCL/GSE composite films. PCL: polycaprolactone; GSE: grapefruit seed extract.
Figure 3
Figure 3
XRD patterns of pure PCL and PCL/GSE composite films. PCL: polycaprolactone; GSE: grapefruit seed extract.
Figure 4
Figure 4
In-vitro anti-listerial effect of pure PCL and PCL/GSE composite films at (a) 4 and (b) 25 °C. PCL: polycaprolactone; GSE: grapefruit seed extract.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Listeria monocytogenes counts of cheddar cheese packaged in pure PCL, PP/PE (commercial cheese packaging film), and PCL/GSE composite films during storage at (a) 4 and (b) 25 °C. PP: polypropylene; PE: polyethylene; PCL: polycaprolactone; GSE: grapefruit seed extract.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Weight loss of soil-buried pure PCL and PCL/GSE composite films at 30 °C. PP: polypropylene; PCL: polycaprolactone; GSE: grapefruit seed extract.
Figure 7
Figure 7
SEM micrographs (magnification × 500) of surface of the (a) pure PCL, (b) PCL/GSE 1%, (c) PCL/GSE 3%, and (d) PCL/GSE 5% before and after biodegradation at 30 °C. Scale bar is 100 μm. PCL: polycaprolactone; GSE: grapefruit seed extract.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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