poly(lactic acid)

Mussel shell is one of the most hazardous aquaculture wastes and its powder was used as an additive for bio-degradable poly (lactic acid) in this current study. Bio-composites were fabricated via conventional melt mixing technique followed by an injection moulding process. The effects of mussel shell powder inclusion on mechanical, melt-flow, water uptake and morphological performance of poly (lactic acid)-based green composites were reported.

The thermostability of nisin and Nisaplin® was investigated in the presence and absence of pectin. By mixing with pectin, both nisin and Nisaplin® were able to inhibit microbial growth, even after heating to 433 K. In contrast, without pectin, the nisin was totally inactivated after heat treatment. Nisin and pectin in solution were complexed, as shown by atomic force microscopic analysis. Probably, the complex formation between the polysaccharide and the polypeptide improves the nisin thermostability; however, a detailed mechanism remains to be resolved.