The Effect of the Ratio of Butylene Succinate and Dilinoleic Diol in Their Copolyester (PBS-DLS) on the Physicochemical Properties and Biofilm Formation.

Abstract

Biofilm-forming microorganisms pose a severe threat in the food and medical industries, among others. In this paper, the research materials were poly(butylene succinate-dilinoleic succinate) (PBS-DLS) copolymers with variable hard and soft segment weight ratios (90:10, 70:30, and 50:50). Polymeric films were prepared by the solvent casting method. Selected physicochemical properties and the tendency to form biofilm on the polymer surface were investigated. As the amount of DLS soft segments in the polymer matrix increased, changes in the FTIR-ATR spectra (signal intensity), surface (SEM), and phase transition (DSC) were observed. The higher the content of the DLS segment, the lower the transition temperatures and the smoother the film's surface. These factors resulted in a significant reduction in the amount of biofilm formed on the material's surface and a decrease in the metabolic activity of microorganisms present in the biofilm and SEM micrographs. The obtained PBS-DLS films have great potential in the food and medical packaging industries.