Investigation of Antimicrobial Activity and Soil Biodegradation of Cellulosic Foams Treated with Natural Polymers

Authors

  • Petronela Nechita Department of Environmental, Applied Engineering and Agriculture, Faculty of Engineering and Agronomy, Dunărea de Jos University of Galați, 817112 Brăila, Romania; Research Center for Mechanics of Machines and Technological Equipment, Engineering and Agronomy Faculty in Braila, “Dunarea de Jos” University of Galati, 810017 Braila, Romania https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7846-0451
  • Nicoleta Ciobotaru Department of Environmental, Applied Engineering and Agriculture, Faculty of Engineering and Agronomy, Dunărea de Jos University of Galați, 817112 Brăila, Romania https://orcid.org/0009-0007-3669-148X
  • Silviu Marian Nastac Research Center for Mechanics of Machines and Technological Equipment, Engineering and Agronomy Faculty in Braila, “Dunarea de Jos” University of Galati, 810017 Braila, Romania; Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, “Transilvania” University of Brasov, 500024 Brasov, Romania https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7957-8339

Keywords:

Cellulose foams, Xylan hemicellulose, Antimicrobial properties, Water absorption capacity, Extent of biodegradation

Abstract

Cellulose foams are potential sustainable alternatives for packaging, thermal insulation, and acoustic applications due to their porous structure and renewable origin. Besides good mechanical properties and moisture control, antimicrobial performance is essential for applications involving contact with moisture and organic matter, such as food packaging and medical materials. This study investigates the antibacterial, antifungal, and soil biodegradation behavior of cellulose foams coated with a thin layer (approximately 5 g/m²) of xylan hemicellulose and its modified derivatives, including acetylated and AKD (alkylketene dimer) modified xylan. The results showed that foams treated with acetylated xylan exhibited the highest antibacterial activity, with about 58% inhibition of Bacillus sp species after 24 h at 27 °C. A slight antifungal effect was also observed, with delayed growth of Aspergillus and Penicillium species. Both coating composition and xylan modification significantly affected the degradation kinetics.

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Published

2026-06-18

How to Cite

Nechita, P., Ciobotaru, N., & Nastac, S. M. (2026). Investigation of Antimicrobial Activity and Soil Biodegradation of Cellulosic Foams Treated with Natural Polymers. BioResources, 21(3), 7109–7124. Retrieved from https://ojs.bioresources.com/index.php/BRJ/article/view/25913

Issue

Vol. 21 No. 3 (2026)

Section

Research Article or Brief Communication