ABSTRACT
Biocomposites of polylactic acid, thermoplastic starch, chitosan powder, and chitosan lyophilized powder were prepared using an extrusion process. The color, thermal, structural, mechanical, morphology, and antimicrobial properties were evaluated. The addition of thermoplastic starch and chitosan (chitosan powder and chitosan lyophilized powder) produced significant changes in color and heterogeneous surface morphology of the polylactic acid biocomposites. The thermal, mechanical, and morphometric properties of the material showed changes with the addition of thermoplastic starch and chitosan (chitosan powder and chitosan lyophilized powder). The biocomposites formulated with chitosan powder and chitosan lyophilized powder showed antifungal activity when evaluating this property. The biocomposites produced could be used in packaging applications.
GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
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Acknowledgments
SEM, TGA, and DSC measurements were performed at LANNBIO Cinvestav Mérida, under support from projects FOMIX-Yucatán 2008-108160 and CONACYT LAB-2099-01 No. 123913. Technical help from Mrs. A.R. Cristóbal Ramos is acknowledged for her assistance in SEM analysis.