Development of pea protein-based bioplastics with antimicrobial properties.
BACKGROUND
In the present work, bioplastics from renewable polymers were studied in order to reduce the huge generation of plastic wastes, causing an environmental problem that continues owing to the increasing demand for plastic products.


RESULTS
Bioplastics with much better antimicrobial properties, in particular against Gram-positive bacteria, were obtained with the addition of nisin to the initial protein/plasticizer mixture. However, the addition of nisin produces more rigid but less deformable bioplastics (higher Young's modulus but lower strain at break).


CONCLUSIONS
The results obtained are useful to demonstrate the antimicrobial properties of pea protein-based bioplastics by adding nisin and make them suitable as potential candidates to replace conventional plastics in food packaging. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.
Departamento de Ingeniería Química, Facultad de Química, Universidad de Sevilla, E-41012 Sevilla, Spain.
Víctor
V
Perez-Puyana
Departamento de Ingeniería Química, Facultad de Química, Universidad de Sevilla, E-41012 Sevilla, Spain.
Manuel
M
Felix
Departamento de Ingeniería Química, Facultad de Química, Universidad de Sevilla, E-41012 Sevilla, Spain.
Alberto
A
Romero
Departamento de Ingeniería Química, Facultad de Química, Universidad de Sevilla, E-41012 Sevilla, Spain.
Antonio
A
Guerrero
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000032:analysis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018857:Food Packaging / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D009561:Nisin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018532:Pisum sativum / Q000737:chemistry*; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000737:chemistry*; D010969:Plastics / Q000032:analysis*; D011108:Polymers / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D010940:Plant Proteins; D010969:Plastics; D011108:Polymers; D009561:Nisin
antimicrobial properties; bioplastic; mechanical properties; mixing process; nisin