Active components for application in antimicrobial food packaging
A recent investigation was aimed to develop films and coatings based on natural biopolymers and active components, with physicochemical and functional properties for application in antimicrobial packaging.
Biopolymer films were obtained from emulsions and dispersions by casting method. Coatings were formed by the application of emulsions on existing packaging. Synthesis of emulsions and dispersions were performed by combining biopolymers (chitosan-gelatin, pectin-gelatin) with lemongrass essential oil (LEO), Zn(CH3COO)2·2H2O, or ZnO, as active components.
Tested coatings extended the shelf life of raspberries
The chitosan-gelatin emulsions and dispersions exhibited a higher antibacterial effect in vitro against E. coli, B. subtilis, and S. aureus. In the case of the pectin-gelatin emulsions, the impact of LEO on the antibacterial activity was evident. The effects of biopolymer coatings on the development of microorganisms on fresh raspberries (Rubus idaeus L.) were performed in vivo during eight days of raspberry storage at refrigerator temperature. The tested coatings extended the shelf life of stored raspberries from four to eight days.
The study has been published in Progress in Organic Coatings, Volume 158, September 2021.
