Anti-listeria activity of poly(lactic acid)/sawdust particle biocomposite film impregnated with pediocin PA-1/AcH and its use in raw sliced pork

•PLA/SP film coated with pediocin PA-1/AcH exhibits anti-listeria activity.•Sawdust particle plays an important role in embedding pediocin into PLA film.•Dry-heating of film before coating with pediocin enhances pediocin adsorption.•PLA/SP + Ped film reduces listerial population on chilled pork up to 99%.

A novel poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/sawdust particle (SP) biocomposite film with anti-listeria activity was developed by incorporation of pediocin PA-1/AcH (Ped) using diffusion coating method. Sawdust particle played an important role in embedding pediocin into the hydrophobic PLA film. The anti-listeria activity of the PLA/SP biocomposite film incorporated with Ped (PLA/SP + Ped) was detected, while no activity against the tested pathogen was observed for the control PLA films (without SP and/or Ped). Dry-heat treatment of film before coating with Ped resulted in the highest Ped adsorption (11.63 ± 3.07 μg protein/cm2) and the highest anti-listeria activity. A model study of PLA/SP + Ped as a food-contact antimicrobial packaging on raw sliced pork suggests a potential inhibition of Listeria monocytogenes (99% of total listerial population) on raw sliced pork during the chilled storage. This study supports the feasibility of using PLA/SP + Ped film to reduce the initial load of L. monocytogenes on the surface of raw pork.