Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
SPE Polymers, cilt.6, sa.3, 2025 (Scopus)
Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is a widely used biodegradable polymer, especially in food packaging, due to its environmentally friendly properties. In order to enhance its antimicrobial activity, this study investigates the incorporation of pomegranate peel (PP) powder into PLA. PLA composites filled with varying percentages of PP powder (10, 15, and 20 wt%) were produced using a twin-screw extruder at different screw speeds (400, 500, and 600 rpm). The effects of PP content and screw speed of extrusion on the antimicrobial properties, mechanical performance, thermal stability, and morphological characteristics were evaluated. Antimicrobial tests revealed that PLA/PP composites exhibited significant inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The antimicrobial activity of PP-filled PLA composites was slightly affected by the screw speed during extrusion. The mechanical properties, thermal behavior, and crystallinity were adversely affected by the increasing PP content, particularly at higher screw speeds. The study concludes that PP powder significantly enhances the antimicrobial activity of PLA, but the mechanical and thermal properties require optimization, especially at higher filler content and screw speeds.