Abstract
Films containing bay leaves essential oils (BEOs) were prepared and evaluated for edible packaging applications. The BEOs were extracted by the Soxhlet method, using ethanol or methanol as organic solvent. Then, films were prepared by “solvent casting” technique using carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), with different concentrations for the as-obtained BEOs (from 1% to 30% wt.). The resulting films were characterized to evaluate their physical (thickness, moisture content, water solubility and water vapor permeability), optical (transparency and UV-light barrier), mechanical (tensile strength and elongation at break), antioxidant and antimicrobiological properties Attractive films were obtained for food active packaging applications, as they presented a high antioxidant activity (up to 99%) and total phenolic content, and good barrier properties against water vapor (50% improved of CMC) in the case of CMC-film containing 15% wt. ethanolic extract. Related to optical properties, UV-light barrier effect was increased (almost 100% of protection) avoiding typical lipids oxidation in food systems. High water solubility (93%) was also found, ensuring also their biodegradability. Moreover, it was demonstrated that developed films inhibit microorganisms’ growth (Escherichia coli and Candida glabrata), this avoiding an early food oxidation.
Highlights
Food can be protected against mechanical damage, chemical agents and microbiological activity through packaging materials
The aim of this study is focused on the development of edible films with carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and different concentrations of bay leaves essential oil
bay leaves essential oils (BEOs) were obtained by Soxhlet extraction using ethanol or methanol as solvents
Summary
Food can be protected against mechanical damage, chemical agents and microbiological activity through packaging materials. Synthetic plastics based on petrochemicals (low cost, good mechanical and barrier properties) are commonly used as food packaging materials [2] but they have produced serious environmental problems and the price of oil is getting higher. For this reason, in recent years, biodegradable packaging materials have been the focus of much research [3,4]. Synthetic polymers could be replaced by bio-based biodegradable polymers since they are renewable [5]. Cellulose is a renewable source and its derivatives have excellent properties to form films.
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