Poly(lactic) Acid Fibers Loaded with Mesoporous Silica for Potential Applications in the Active Food Packaging

摘要

Multifunctional fibrous systems based on poly(lactic) acid (PLA), mesoporous silica (SiO_2) and ascorbic acid (AA) were produced by means of electrospinning technique, for potential applications in the active food packaging sector, as platform for the controlled release of antioxidant and/or antimicrobial agents with the additional filtering function. The ascorbic acid was physisorbed on the surface of mesoporous silica in order to stabilize it and to extend its antioxidant action. The influence of mesoporous silica and ascorbic acid on the microstructural and mechanical properties was investigated, revealing a revelant mechanical reinforcement in the case of fibers loaded only with SiO_2 and a decrement in the case of SiO_2 with physisorbed ascorbic acid, due to the worse interface between the fillers and the polymeric matrix.