Antimicrobial biodegradable food packaging impregnated with Bacteriocin 7293 for control of pathogenic bacteria in pangasius fish fillets

This study aimed to develop an antimicrobial biodegradable food packaging for control of pathogens in pangasius fish fillets, one of the world's most consumed freshwater fish. Bacteriocin 7293 (Bac7293), a novel bacteriocin from Weissella hellenica BCC 7293, was diffusion coated onto poly (lactic acid)/sawdust particle biocomposite film (PLA/SP) with the maximum amount of 19.54 ± 2.87 μg/cm². According to the JIS Z 2801:2000 standard testing method, the produced PLA/SP film impregnated with Bac7293 (PLA/SP + Bac7293) effectively inhibited both Gram-positive (Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Aeromonas hydrophila, Escherichia coli and Salmonella Typhimurium) which have been considered as a reason for the rejection of pangasius fish fillets. This antimicrobial film inhibited the growth of target microorganisms by about 2–5 log CFU/cm², depended on bacterial strains, compared with control, both in vitro and in pangasius fish fillets by means of challenge test. The overall migration of PLA/SP + Bac7293 film to food simulants was maximized in isooctane (3.67 ± 0.47 mg/dm²) which was much lower than the overall migration limit regulated by the commission of the European communities. This suggested high potential application of PLA/SP + Bac7293 as a good antimicrobial packaging for pangasius fish fillets.