Antimicrobial biodegradable coatings based on LAE for food packaging applications

The aim of this work is to investigate possible solutions to realize antimicrobial-incorporated biodegradable coatings for active food packaging films. At this purpose, the antimicrobial agent (Ethyl-N alpha-dodecanovl-L-arginate, LAE), a cationic surfactant, was added at different percentages to a PLA coating solution, which was spread on a BOPET substrate. Films were characterized in order to obtain information on LAE interaction with the polymer matrix and its effect on thermal stability and functional performance of the films. To assess the films activity and to verify the efficacy of such solutions, microbial tests were carried out using E. Coli CECT 434 strain as pathogenic agent