Biodegradation of BC/KC-based films containing natural extracts and their application as active packaging for...

The resistance of conventional plastic packaging to degradation causes severe environmental impacts, driving the development of sustainable alternatives. This study investigated the biodegradation of biopolymer-based films composed of bacterial cellulose/kappa-carrageenan (BC/KC) blends incorporated with natural extracts under controlled (ex situ) and natural semi-arid conditions in Pernambuco, Brazil (in situ). Soil microbial populations were characterized, and the films were evaluated as antimicrobial packaging for mozzarella cheese. The films showed high susceptibility to biodegradation, with mass losses of 50-100% under field conditions, potentially enhanced by termite activity. Biodegradation also induced structural, morphological, and thermal changes. Microbiological analyses revealed bacterial and fungal populations in both soils, with the ex situ soil showing the highest counts (7.12 Log CFU/g for bacteria and 5.10 Log CFU/g for fungi). In the mozzarella cheese application, BC/KC-S and EC4-S films exhibited the highest antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, with a final count of 6.45 Log CFU/g. The significance of this study lies in integrating laboratory and field biodegradation assessments with antimicrobial packaging evaluation, providing insights into the environmental behavior and potential food packaging applications of BC/KC-based films. These findings support the development of biodegradable packaging alternatives that combine environmental degradability with antimicrobial functionality.