Development of a biodegradable packaging with antimicrobial properties from cassava starch by incorporating Ocimum tenuiflorum extract

Abstract

Cassava starch based biodegradable films with antimicrobial properties were developed by the casting technique with the addition of Ocimum tenuiflorum organic extract (0 to 3 %). Tensile Strength (TS), Elongation at break (EB), Young modulus (YM), Thickness, Colour, Transmittance, Water solubility, Moisture content, Water Vapor Transmission Rate (WVTR), Antimicrobial effect, Biodegradability, Thermal stability, Cyanide content, Compound analysis and Tendency of compound migration were evaluated in those films compared to a control sample. The plant extract contributed to increasing the moisture content, thickness, water solubility and WVTR while reducing EB and transmittance of the films significantly (p < 0.05). TS and YM didn't show any significant difference among samples. The addition of Ocimum tenuiflorum extract improved the antimicrobial effect of films and remarkably inhibited the microbial growth in apple samples. According to the GC-MS analysis, the main responsible compounds for the antimicrobial effect were determined as Eucalyptol and Caryophyllene. The developed films showed high biodegradability (75.42±0.51 %), good thermal stability (300 °C), negligible cyanide content and no compound migration to the food sample. Ocimum tenuiflorum incorporated cassava starch films have a great potential as a novel active food packaging and a good substitute for plastic food wrappings.