Advanced bio-based polymers with antimicrobial properties

Abstract: With the ever-growing public environmental concerns of petroleum-based polymers, the demand for safe, renewable, and biodegradable polymers will continue to increase. To achieve this demand, research and development will need to seek innovative and economically viable methods to meet these global objectives for better products and processes. This paper focuses our efforts on engineering advanced antimicrobial bio-based polymers with excellent stability and reusability from agricultural-based non-edible oils. The bio-based polymers were made from our designed curing bio-based agents (i.e., phenolic branched-chain fatty acid-amides) and a commercial epoxy resin (i.e., diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A). They were found to be active against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The leaching experiments on the biopolymer showed no signs of small molecules (i.e., biocides) leaking out of the polymer to inactivate the bacteria. Most importantly, the reusability study indicated that the biopolymer was inherently antibacterial and maintained its efficacy. This study presents important findings of the designed curing agents which contribute to the key impact in killing the bacteria.