Potential of Antimicrobial Film Containing Thymol with pH Indicator to Increase Biosafety of Packed Food

Abstract

Antimicrobial (AM) packaging incorporated with pH indicator is a promising form of smart food packaging with great potential; economically, environmentally and increase biosafety of packed food. An AM Smart Packaging is made by incorporating suitable AM agents into food package matrices and applying a bio switch concept to inhibit the spoilage and the pathogenic microorganisms for the safety of food. The value-added pH indicator system will be used to monitor the condition of packaged foods to give information about the chemical-microbiological quality of the packaged food during transport and storage. The main objective of this study was to develop the formulation of AM starch-based film in which the active compound, thymol was incorporated into the polymeric material. A solution casting method was used in the film preparation and thymol was incorporated prior to casting. The physical and chemical characterizations of the prepared film gave valuable information on moisture content and chemical composition of the films. The AM film had a relatively smoother, cleaner and more compact surfaces compared to the control film. The resultant film with reduction in moisture content was used to indicate the relationship between thymol and water molecules in the diffusion mechanism throughout the film matrices. FTIR analysis implied the consistency of the chemical composition and structure of the AM film compared to the control film indicating that the addition of thymol into the film did not affect or alter the carbonyl functional groups and stability of the film.