Abstract
The aim of the study was to obtain and evaluate the properties of biodegradable starch film with the addition of phytic acid (0.05%) as a cross-linking agent and chicory root extract (1–5%) as an antimicrobial agent. To prepare biodegradable film, extracts from chicory root obtained with water or methanol were used. The content of bioactive compounds (sesquiterpene lactones and total polyphenols) was evaluated in chicory extracts. The antibacterial activity of the extracts was tested against Gram-negative bacteria (Pseudomonas fluorescens, Escherichia coli) and Gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus) using the microculture method. The extracts acted as bacteriostatic agents, decreasing the growth rate (µmax), and extending the lag phase (tlag). The most sensitive bacterium in terms of film bacteriostatic activity was P. fluorescens; all extracts, irrespective of the solvent used, decreased its µmax value. S. aureus was the least sensitive. The obtained films were tested for their properties as food packaging (color, thickness, permeability, mechanical strength). Phytic acid improved the tensile strength and barrier properties of the films. The antimicrobial activity of the films was studied by the disk diffusion method against Gram-negative (P. fluorescens, E. coli) and Gram-positive (B. subtilis, S. aureus) bacteria, as well as fungi (Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger). The growth-inhibiting activity of each obtained film was observed for all tested microorganisms, and the most beneficial effect was observed for films with the 5% level of added extracts obtained with water. The growth-inhibiting activity for fungi, in particular for the yeast C. albicans, was low.
Highlights
Starch is the most important storage polysaccharide in plants, and it can be found in leaves, fruits, seeds, roots, tubers, stem cores, and rhizomes in the form of grains [1]
An example of modifying starch properties is the use of a phytic acid additive, which acts as a starch phosphorescent agent, influencing the viscosity of the starch sol and gel [2]
Chicory roots are used on an industrial scale to obtain inulin as an ingredient of a coffee substitute after roasting and as animal feed [9,10,11]
Summary
Starch is the most important storage polysaccharide in plants, and it can be found in leaves, fruits, seeds, roots, tubers, stem cores, and rhizomes in the form of grains [1]. Chemical, enzymatic, and genetic treatments of starch can induce novel gelatinizing, pasting, and retrogradation properties, and can improve the processing quality. An example of modifying starch properties is the use of a phytic acid additive, which acts as a starch phosphorescent agent, influencing the viscosity of the starch sol and gel [2]. Studies have included starch films, mostly focused on reducing their flammability or improving their plasticity [3]. Phytic acid (myo-inositol hexakisphosphate) is a substance of natural origin obtained from cereals, oil seeds, and legume seeds [4]. It has attracted much attention in recent years as a food additive
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