Fabrication and Characterization of Poly (Lactic acid)/Propylparaben Composite for Active Food Packaging Application

Sustainable poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/propylparaben (PPB) composite based films were fabricated via solution casting approach. The assessment of PLA/PPB composite films in terms of active food packaging characteristics like thermal, mechanical, UV–Vis, oxygen barrier, anti-bacterial as well as anti-oxidant effect is carried out. The PLA/PPB-5 composite film resulted in three-fold (23%) increase of elongation-at-break while maintaining a tensile strength (42 MPa) in comparison with PLA film. Consequently, the PLA/PPB-5 composite film displayed a 70% UV–B blockage and reduced the oxygen transmission rate by 52% as compared to PLA film. Further, the PLA/PPB-5 composite film exhibited significant improvement (52%) in the radical scavenging activity which can be really helpful to keep the food products fresh for longer periods. The PLA/PPB filler showed good antibacterial activity against food-borne bacteria [Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli]. The fabricated PLA/PPB composite films have shown desirable active food packaging characteristics and therefore may be suitable for food packaging applications.