Purification, bioactivity and application of maltobionic acid in active films

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Food Science
• Materials Science

Background:

• Sodium maltobionate purification is crucial for bioactive compound development.
• Zymomonas mobilis offers a viable microbial platform for bioprocessing.
• Developing active food packaging materials is an ongoing area of research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To purify sodium maltobionate using immobilized Zymomonas mobilis.
• To convert purified sodium maltobionate into maltobionic acid.
• To evaluate the bioactivity and application of maltobionic acid in active films.

Main Methods:

• Sodium maltobionate purification via Zymomonas mobilis immobilized on polyurethane (PU).
• Conversion of sodium maltobionate to maltobionic acid.
• Assessment of iron chelating ability, antibacterial potential, and cytoprotection of maltobionic acid.
• Incorporation of maltobionic acid into cassava starch, chitosan, and cellulose acetate films.
• Characterization of film properties including microbial inhibition, thickness, solubility, mechanical, and optical properties.

Main Results:

• Achieved 98.1% purity of sodium maltobionate.
• Maltobionic acid demonstrated significant iron chelating ability (approx. 50% at 15-20 mg/mL).
• Exhibited broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against Salmonella enterica, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Listeria monocytogenes (MICs 8.0-10.5 mg/mL).
• No cytotoxicity observed in HEK-293 cells up to 500 µg/mL.
• Films with 7.5% maltobionic acid showed microbial growth inhibition (15.67-22.33 mm halos).
• Chitosan films with maltobionic acid showed enhanced tensile strength (30.3 MPa) and elongation at break (9.0%).

Conclusions:

• Maltobionic acid possesses valuable bioactive properties, including iron chelation and broad-spectrum antibacterial activity.
• Incorporation of maltobionic acid into cassava starch and chitosan films creates active packaging with enhanced mechanical properties and microbial inhibition.
• Maltobionic acid shows significant potential for use in active food packaging applications.