UV-blocking sustainable food packaging based on polyhydroxyalkanoate and bacterial pigment prodigiosin

Abstract

New film materials based on bacterial biomolecules polyhydroxyalkanoate (poly(3 hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) PHBV) and prodigiosin (PG) were produced by solvent casting as a potential food packaging material. Film precursors were obtained in a sustainable manner via microbial fermentation using waste stream-based substrates (cooking oil and second-grade canned meat, after the expiry date). The incorporation of PG into the PHBV has influenced the morphology and functionality of the obtained materials. PG acted as a nucleating agent, affecting in turn PHBV/PG film surface morphology. The films were intensively colored, transparent and blocked UV-light. An increase in PG content decreased film transparency but it did not affect UV-blocking ability. Migration experiments have shown that films possess the potential to release PG into lipophilic food simulant media where it has exhibited antioxidative action. The obtained results suggest that PHBV/PG films can be potentially used as sustainable and active food packaging materials.