Biodegradable poly (lactic acid)/ZnO/Pluronic composite films: Mechanical properties, antibacterial performance, and fruit preservation
13 viewsDOI:
https://doi.org/10.54939/1859-1043.j.mst.109.2026.78-86Keywords:
PLA; ZnO NPs; Pluronic P123; Active food packaging; Fruit preservation.Abstract
In this study, composite films based on Poly(lactic acid) (PLA), Zinc Oxide (NPs) and Pluronic P123 (0.5–1.5 wt% ZnO/Plu) were fabricated and characterized with respect to structure, mechanics, antibacterial behavior, and fruit‑preservation performance. An optimum was observed at 1.0 wt% ZnO/Plu, where tensile strength (15.7 MPa), elongation at break (~0.7%), and reduced 24‑h water solubility coincided with uniformly dispersed ZnO/Plu domains confirmed by SEM/EDX and FTIR. The films exhibited strong, dose‑dependent antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis, with maximal inhibition at 1.0 wt% and a slight decline at 1.5 wt% due to nanoparticle aggregation. When used as active packaging for bananas, the 1.0 wt% ZnO/Plu film most effectively limited weight loss, maintained titratable acidity and vitamin C, and preserved visual quality, indicating its potential as a biodegradable active packaging material for postharvest applications.
References
[1]. Swetha, T.A., et al., “A comprehensive review on polylactic acid (PLA)–Synthesis, processing and application in food packaging”, International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, Vol. 234, art. no. 123715, (2023). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.123715
[2]. Elsawy, M.A., et al., “Hydrolytic degradation of polylactic acid (PLA) and its composites”, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Vol. 79, pp. 1346-1352, (2017). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2017.05.143
[3]. Espitia, P.J.P., et al., “Chapter 34 - Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles for Food Packaging Applications”, in Antimicrobial Food Packaging, J. Barros-Velázquez, Editor, Academic Press: San Diego, pp. 425-431, (2016). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-800723-5.00034-6
[4]. Helmiyati, H. et al., “Antimicrobial packaging of ZnO–Nps infused into CMC–PVA nanocomposite films effectively enhances the physicochemical properties”, Polymer Testing, Vol. 104, art. no. 107412, (2021). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymertesting.2021.107412
[5]. Chong, W.J., et al., “Additive manufacturing of antibacterial PLA-ZnO nanocomposites: Benefits, limitations and open challenges”, Journal of Materials Science & Technology, Vol. 111, pp. 120-151, (2022). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmst.2021.09.039
[6]. Basumatary, I.B., et al., “Biopolymer-based nanocomposite films and coatings: Recent advances in shelf-life improvement of fruits and vegetables”, Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, Vol. 62, no. 7, pp. 1912-1935, (2022). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2020.1848789
[7]. Zhang, W., et al., “Multifunctional Pluronic P123/F127 mixed polymeric micelles loaded with paclitaxel for the treatment of multidrug resistant tumors”, Biomaterials, Vol. 32, No. 11, pp. 2894-2906, (2011). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biomaterials.2010.12.039
[8]. Batrakova, E.V., et al., “Pluronic block copolymers: Evolution of drug delivery concept from inert nanocarriers to biological response modifiers”, Journal of Controlled Release, Vol. 130, no. 2, pp. 98-106, (2008). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jconrel.2008.04.013
[9]. Chen, Y., et al., “The effect of Pluronic P123 on shape memory of cross-linked polyurethane/poly (l-lactide) biocomposite”, International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, Vol. 259, art. no. 128788, (2024). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.128788
[10]. Jegajeevanram, P., et al., “Eco-friendly synthesis of curcumin-loaded ZnO nanoparticles encapsulated in Pluronic F-127: Implications for bacterial and breast cancer therapies”, Inorganic Chemistry Communications, Vol. 170, art. no. 113247, (2024). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.inoche.2024.113247
[11]. Zhang, H., et al., “ZnO-PLA nanocomposite coated paper for antimicrobial packaging application”, LWT, Vol. 78, pp. 250-257, (2017). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lwt.2016.12.024
[12]. Guo, X., et al., “Green-synthesized antibacterial and unidirectional water-permeable polylactic acid/ZnO composite film for enhanced preservation of perishable fruits”, Materials Today Chemistry, Vol. 40, art. no. 102284, (2024). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtchem.2024.102284
[13]. Huong, N.T., et al., “Glutamic acid–coated zinc oxide nanoparticles: synthesis, characterization, and anticancer activity”, Journal of Nanoparticle Research, Vol. 27, no. 1, art. no. 15, (2025). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-024-06206-w
[14]. Tsegay, Z.T., “Total titratable acidity and organic acids of wines produced from cactus pear (Opuntia-ficus-indica) fruit and Lantana camara (L. Camara) fruit blended fermentation process employed response surface optimization”, Food Science & Nutrition, Vol. 8, no. 8, pp. 4449-4462, (2020). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.1745
[15]. Srisuwan, Y., et al., “Preparation of Poly(L-lactide)-b-poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(L-lactide)/Zinc Oxide Nanocomposite Bioplastics for Potential Use as Flexible and Antibacterial Food Packaging”, Polymers, Vol. 16, no. 12, Art. No. 1660, (2024). DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16121660
[16]. Akshaykranth, A., et al., “Development of biodegradable PLA/Nanoclay/ZnO polymer films for future Industrial packaging applications”, Results in Surfaces and Interfaces, Vol. 19, art. no. 100518, (2025). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rsurfi.2025.100518
[17]. Hooper, J.B., et al., “Theory of Phase Separation in Polymer Nanocomposites”, Macromolecules, Vol. 39, no. 15, pp. 5133-5142, (2006). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/ma060577m
[18]. Tung, C.-C., et al., “Mechanical performance and aging resistance analysis of zinc oxide-reinforced polyurethane composites”, RSC Advances, Vol. 15, No. 35, pp. 28358-28366, (2025). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/D5RA03748D
[19]. Park, T.G. et al., “Poly(L-lactic acid)/Pluronic blends: characterization of phase separation behavior, degradation, and morphology and use as protein-releasing matrixes”, Macromolecules, Vol. 25, no. 1, pp. 116-122, (1992). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/ma00027a019
[20]. Kiss, É., et al., “XPS and Wettability Characterization of Modified Poly(lactic acid) and Poly(lactic/glycolic acid) Films”, Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, Vol. 245, no. 1, pp. 91-98, (2002). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1006/jcis.2001.7954
[21]. Nguyen, V.S., et al., “Dispersion of nanoparticles: From organic solvents to polymer solutions”, Ultrasonics Sonochemistry, Vol. 21, no. 1, pp. 149-153, (2014). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ultsonch.2013.07.015
[22]. Duan, L., et al., “ZnO@Polyvinyl Alcohol/Poly(lactic acid) Nanocomposite Films for the Extended Shelf Life of Pork by Efficient Antibacterial Adhesion”, ACS Omega, Vol. 7, No. 49, pp. 44657-44669, (2022). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.2c03016
[23]. Son, N.N., et al., “Anticancer Activities of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Synthesized Using Guava Leaf extract”, ChemistrySelect, Vol. 8, No. 45, art. no. e202303214, (2023). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/slct.202303214
[24]. Beard, M.C., et al., “Autoclaving of Poloxamer 407 hydrogel and its use as a drug delivery vehicle”, Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part B: Applied Biomaterials, Vol. 109, no. 3, pp. 338-347, (2021). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/jbm.b.34703
[25]. Manaspon, C., et al., “Preparation of Folate-Conjugated Pluronic F127/Chitosan Core-Shell Nanoparticles Encapsulating Doxorubicin for Breast Cancer Treatment”, Journal of Nanomaterials, Vol. 2012, no. 1, Art. No. 593878, (2012). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/593878
[26]. Abuelsamen, A., et al., “Pluronic F-127-coated ZnO nanoparticles as superior photosensitizers for effective bladder cancer photodynamic therapy: In-vitro evaluation”, Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology, Vol. 95, art. no. 105550, (2024). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jddst.2024.105550
[27]. La, D.D., et al., “Effects of antibacterial ZnO nanoparticles on the performance of a chitosan/gum arabic edible coating for post-harvest banana preservation”, Progress in Organic Coatings, Vol. 151, art. no. 106057, (2021). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.porgcoat.2020.106057
[28]. Chitena, L., et al., “Application of in-situ casted ZnO-starch nanocomposite for packaging of strawberries (Fragaria x ananassa)”, Heliyon, Vol. 9, No. 11, (2023). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e22556
[29]. Emamifar, A., et al., “Preparation and Application of LDPE/ZnO Nanocomposites for Extending Shelf Life of Fresh Strawberries”, Food Technol Biotechnol, Vol. 53, no. 4, pp. 488-495, (2015). DOI: https://doi.org/10.17113/ftb.53.04.15.3817
