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Effect of AgNPs on PLA-Based Biocomposites with Polysaccharides: Biodegradability, Antibacterial Activity and Features

Summary

Scientists created new plastic-like materials made from corn-based PLA combined with silver nanoparticles and natural starches or chitosan. These biocomposites break down in soil while also killing harmful bacteria. The materials showed that adding silver particles didn’t prevent fungi from breaking them down in nature, making them suitable for environmentally-friendly products like food packaging that need to both degrade naturally and prevent bacterial growth.

Background

Ecological concerns drive development of polyfunctional biodegradable materials with antimicrobial properties. Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is a promising biodegradable polymer, but its degradation in natural environments is slow. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and natural polysaccharides offer potential to enhance both antimicrobial activity and biodegradability.

Objective

To develop and characterize PLA-based biocomposites incorporating silver nanoparticles and natural polysaccharides (starch and chitosan) to assess their biodegradability, antibacterial activity, and structural properties.

Results

Introduction of polysaccharides decreased elastic modulus and tensile strength while maintaining elongation at break. Maximal mass loss of 29% was achieved for PLA-PEG 1000-starch + AgNPs biocomposites after 6 months in soil. AgNPs did not inhibit fungal degradation but reduced bacterial growth. FTIR and DSC analysis confirmed PLA degradation in soil through enzymatic hydrolysis.

Conclusion

PLA-based biocomposites with polysaccharides and AgNPs demonstrate enhanced biodegradability in soil while maintaining antibacterial properties against certain bacteria. AgNPs do not inhibit mycelial fungi biodestructors, making these materials viable for applications requiring both environmental degradability and microbial control.
  • Published in:International Journal of Molecular Sciences,
  • Study Type:Experimental Research,
  • Source: 10.3390/ijms262210916, PMID: 41303400
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