Optical, mechanical, and antimicrobial properties of bio-based composites of poly(L-lactic acid) and D-limonene/B-cyclodextrin inclusion complex

Composites made of poly(l-lactic acid) (PLLA) and ?-cyclodextrin/D-limonene inclusion complex (CD-Lim) are prepared to develop novel food packaging material with antibacterial properties. The composites are formulated with bio-based materials that are also biodegradable. The addition of CD-Lim to PLLA results in enhanced permeability and water uptake. Optical properties of PLLA/CD-Lim composites also significantly vary compared to plain PLLA, with partial loss of transparency and gloss, but sizably increased barrier to UV light, which imparts protection from oxidation to lipid-containing food. The mechanical properties of the composite films are also affected by composition. Most notably, PLLA films containing CD-Lim display significant antibacterial and antifungal properties, proving their potential as active food packaging films.