Search

Biodegradable composite films of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) modified with varying amounts of capsicum oleoresin (CO)‐impregnated nanoporous silica (SiCO) were prepared. The antimicrobial and thermomechanical properties of the PLA composites were carefully investigated. The Gram‐positive pathogenic bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus) and the Gram‐negative pathogenic bacteria (Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica) tests established excellent antimicrobial properties of the composites even at small concentrations of SiCO. The microscopic (scanning electron micrograph) and spectroscopic (energy‐dispersive X‐ray) investigations manifested the uniformity of particle distribution. Although the addition of CO slightly decreased the thermal stability of the composite films, it marginally enhanced the mechanical properties and crystallinity. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47825. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]