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Film forming microbial biopolymers for commercial applications—A review.

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Relation http://ir.cftri.com/11683/
http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/07388551.2013.798254
 
Title Film forming microbial biopolymers for commercial applications—A
review.
 
Creator Vijayendra, S. V. N.
Shamala, T. R.
 
Subject 04 Fermentation Technology
10 Food Microorganisms
 
Description Microorganisms synthesize intracellular, structural and extracellular polymers also referred to as
biopolymers for their function and survival. These biopolymers play specific roles as energy
reserve materials, protective agents, aid in cell functioning, the establishment of symbiosis,
osmotic adaptation and support the microbial genera to function, adapt, multiply and survive
efficiently under changing environmental conditions. Viscosifying, gelling and film forming
properties of these have been exploited for specific significant applications in food and allied
industries. Intensive research activities and recent achievements in relevant and important
research fields of global interest regarding film forming microbial biopolymers is the subject of
this review. Microbial polymers such as pullulan, kefiran, bacterial cellulose (BC), gellan and
levan are placed under the category of exopolysaccharides (EPS) and have several other
functional properties including film formation, which can be used for various applications in
food and allied industries. In addition to EPS, innumerable bacterial genera are found to
synthesis carbon energy reserves in their cells known as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs),
microbial polyesters, which can be extruded into films with excellent moisture and oxygen
barrier properties. Blow moldable biopolymers like PHA along with polylactic acid (PLA)
synthesized chemically in vitro using lactic acid (LA), which is produced by LA bacteria through
fermentation, are projected as biodegradable polymers of the future for packaging applications.
Designing and creating of new property based on requirements through controlled
synthesis can lead to improvement in properties of existing polysaccharides and create novel
biopolymers of great commercial interest and value for wider applications. Incorporation of
antimicrobials such as bacteriocins or silver and copper nanoparticles can enhance the
functionality of polymer films especially in food packaging applications either in the form of
coatings or wrappings. Use of EPS in combinations to obtain desired properties can be evaluated
to increase the application range. Controlled release of active compounds, bioactive protection
and resistance to water can be investigated while developing new technologies to improve the
film properties of active packaging and coatings. An holistic approach may be adopted in
developing an economical and biodegradable packaging material with acceptable properties. An
interdisciplinary approach with new innovations can lead to the development of new composites
of these biopolymers to enhance the application range. This current review focuses on linking
and consolidation of recent research activities on the production and applications of film forming
microbial polymers like EPS, PHA and PLA for commercial applications.
 
Date 2014
 
Type Article
PeerReviewed
 
Format application/pdf
 
Language en
 
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Identifier http://ir.cftri.com/11683/1/Critical%20Reviews%20in%20Biotechnology%20Dec%202014%2C%20Vol.%2034%2C%20No.%204%2C%20Pages%20338-357.pdf
Vijayendra, S. V. N. and Shamala, T. R. (2014) Film forming microbial biopolymers for commercial applications—A review. Critical Reviews in Biotechnology, 34 (4). pp. 338-357. ISSN 1549-7801