Antimicrobial and improved barrier properties of natural phenolic compound-coated polymeric films
A recent study indicates that antimicrobial and barrier properties can be improved by using low-density polyethylene (LDPE) films with coatings containing different amounts of pyrogallol (PGL).
Functional antimicrobial LDPE films with coatings containing different amounts of PGL, a natural phenolic substance, and polyurethane were prepared. To examine the applicability of the prepared LDPE/PGL films in packaging, the films were characterised by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared, thermogravimetric analysis, and X-ray diffraction. The role of the coating, the barrier and color properties, and the antimicrobial activity of the films were evaluated.
The thermal stability of the LDPE/PGL films was affected by the PGL concentration. Coatings with pyrogallol caused the barrier properties for water, and oxygen was increased from 0.78–0.32 to 470 ± 23.2–273 ± 57.1 (g mm)/(m2 h kPa), respectively.
Barrier properties of the LDPE/PGL films were highly improved
These findings indicate that the barrier properties of the LDPE/PGL films were highly improved compared to those of neat LDPE. Moreover, the LDPE/PGL films exhibited acceptable antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive) and Escherichia coli (Gram-negative), especially for S. aureus.
Further studies are necessary to increase the thermal stability of the pyrogallol coatings with the LDPE substrate in order to improve their performance and extend their packaging applications.
The study has been published in Journal of Coatings Technology and Research, January 2019, Volume 16.
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