Development of Poly Lactic Acid/Kitosan Elastomer with Essential Oil Addition to Improved Performance Antibacterial Materials

Abstract

Consumer demand for high quality food without chemical preservatives is a challenge for the food industry. Therefore, food packaging is needed which can extend the shelf life of food products by protecting from external factors such as microorganisms, moisture, and ultraviolet light. In this study, we synthesize Poly Lactic Acid (PLA) derived from environmentally friendly materials and the addition of chitosan to produce a material that are resistant to the development of microorganisms in food packaging applications which is a new concept innovation of biodegradable active packaging, where packaging is developed this has an ability to reduce or inhibit the growth of microorganisms on the food surface. The results obtained in this study are as follows: the addition of turmeric as essential oil and chitosan have been shown to increase antibacterial activity. Elastomer biofilms produced are able to fight S.aureus and E. coli bacteria on exposure for 72 hours in an open room. They are more effective against gram-positive bacteria when compared to gram-negative. Maximum biofilm tensile strength in 4-gram chitosan variation, 0.3 mL TEO and 0.5 mL / biofilm glycerol with tensile strength of 40.01 MPa. The maximum decomposition temperature of the biofilm is obtained at 315.74°C with 4 grams chitosan variation, TEO 0.3 mL and 0.5 mL glycerol. The addition of TEO into the chitosan biofilm is also able to bind molecules of chitosan and evenly distributed molecules on the surface.