Incorporation Of Antimicrobial Agents Research Articles

Use of Lemongrass Leaf Ethanol Extract for Developing Alginate Based Antibacterial Edible Films

Alginates extracted from brown seaweed have a variety of prospective applications such as thickeners, stabilizers, or restructuring agents. Due to its properties as a natural polysaccharide, alginate is very potential to be used as edible films for food packaging purposes. Edible films are developed for food protection being excellent barriers to gases but not to moisture. Incorporation of antimicrobial agents into edible film formulation can extend product shelf life and reduce the risk of pathogenic bacterial growth on food. Therefore, this study was aimed to develop an alginate based antibacterial edible film. Antibacterial agent extracted from lemongrass leaves using ethanol was employed. The study was conducted by varying the addition levels of lemongrass ethanol extract to the alginate based edible films, i.e. 0.5%, 1.0% and 1.5%. Before being added to the alginate based edible films, the lemongrass ethanol extract was investigated for its antibacterial activity. The edible films obtained were analyzed in terms of physical, mechanical and chemical and microbiological parameters, including thickness, water vapor transmission rate (WVTR), brightness, tensile strength, elongation, moisture content, water solubility and antibacterial activity. Results showed that the higher addition levels of lemongrass ethanol extract tended to produce alginate based edible films with lower WVTR and brightness value as well as higher elongation, moisture content and water solubility. Edible film added with lemongrass ethanol extract resulted in this study demonstrated antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus. The addition of lemongrass alcohol extract at 0.5% was considered as a recommended concentration level for producing alginate based antibacterial edible films.

Electrospinning Proteins for Wound Healing Purposes: Opportunities and Challenges.

With the growth of the aging population worldwide, chronic wounds represent an increasing burden to healthcare systems. Wound healing is complex and not only affected by the patient’s physiological conditions, but also by bacterial infections and inflammation, which delay wound closure and re-epithelialization. In recent years, there has been a growing interest for electrospun polymeric wound dressings with fiber diameters in the nano- and micrometer range. Such wound dressings display a number of properties, which support and accelerate wound healing. For instance, they provide physical and mechanical protection, exhibit a high surface area, allow gas exchange, are cytocompatible and biodegradable, resemble the structure of the native extracellular matrix, and deliver antibacterial agents locally into the wound. This review paper gives an overview on cytocompatible and biodegradable fibrous wound dressings obtained by electrospinning proteins and peptides of animal and plant origin in recent years. Focus is placed on the requirements for the fabrication of such drug delivery systems by electrospinning as well as their wound healing properties and therapeutic potential. Moreover, the incorporation of antimicrobial agents into the fibers or their attachment onto the fiber surface as well as their antimicrobial activity are discussed.

Tratamiento de la Neumonía Asociada a la Ventilación Mecánica: cofactor de mortalidad en pacientes COVID-19 positivos

La infección por Sars-CoV-2 produce diversos cuadros clínicos, que incluyen la infección asintomática, enfermedad leve del tracto respiratorio superior y neumonía viral grave con insuficiencia respiratoria e incluso la muerte. La necesidad de internación de los pacientes más comprometidos introduce una complicación adicional, que es el riesgo de adquirir una infección intrahospitalaria. Entre éstas, la neumonía asociada a la ventilación mecánica (NAV) es una de las más frecuentes en las Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos (UCI) y actualmente es una complicación en el cuadro clínico de pacientes COVID-19 positivos que necesitan asistencia de respiración mecánica. La prevención de la NAV es crucial para eliminar este cofactor de morbimortalidad, así como disminuir los costos asociados a la atención de salud (tiempo de internación, antibióticos, elementos descartables, etc.).
 La NAV ocurre en pacientes que son ventilados por un tubo endotraqueal o por traqueotomía, como respuesta del huésped a la invasión bacteriana. Los pacientes con ventilación mecánica están inconscientes y no hay eliminación de las secreciones en la orofaringe, generando un aumento de la flora oral normal. Los microorganismos colonizadores pasan a lo largo del tubo traqueal formando biofilms en la parte interna y externa del mismo particularmente en la región cercana al bulbo. Finalmente, estos microorganismos son capaces de alcanzar las vías aéreas distales superando la respuesta inmune del huésped y generando neumonía. La propuesta de este trabajo consiste en modificar la superficie de los tubos endotraqueales con agentes antimicrobianos que inhiban la adhesión y proliferación bacteriana actuando como coadyuvantes de los antibióticos administrados por vía sistémica.
 El objetivo general de este trabajo es contribuir a la prevención de la NAV por medio de la funcionalización de las superficies interna y externa del tubo endotraqueal empleado en la ventilación mecánica. La modificación se realiza mediante el depósito de una delgada película de hidrogeles biocompatibles y biodegradables cargados con agentes antimicrobianos convencionales (antibióticos) y no convencionales (nanopartículas de plata, AgNPs) para combatir la formación de los biofilms bacterianos que generan la NAV. Los hidrogeles proporcionan control espacial y temporal sobre la liberación de los agentes terapéuticos debido a su degradabilidad controlable y capacidad para proteger a los medicamentos lábiles, permitiendo, además, alcanzar concentraciones locales superiores a las obtenidas por administración sistémica. Para alcanzar los objetivos, se ha optimizado la síntesis de un hidrogel en base a polietilenglicol capaz de adherirse fuertemente a la superficie de cloruro de polivinilo del tubo endotraqueal. Se logró recubrir la superficie del tubo con el hidrogel, comprobándose una buena estabilidad mecánica tanto para el hidrogel deshidratado como para el mismo hidratado. Se analizaron diferentes rutas de incorporación de los agentes antimicrobianos, encontrándose que la más adecuada es el agregado de éstos al polímero precursor del hidrogel. Los hidrogeles modificados con AgNPs presentan características de adhesión y estabilidad similares a las de los hidrogeles sin modificar. Al momento de escribir este trabajo se están llevando cabo los experimentos tendientes a determinar la capacidad antimicrobiana de las superficies modificadas.

Aprovechamiento de materias primas regionales para el desarrollo de envases comestibles activos y biodegradables

Entre las tecnologías emergentes para la optimización de la preservación de alimentos surge como novedosa alternativa el empleo de películas o recubrimientos comestibles autosoportados que confieren propiedades funcionales específicas. Los trabajos desarrollados en este tema, conducen a incorporar agentes antimicrobianos de fuentes naturales en la formulación de películas, ya que la inclusión de aditivos podría considerarse como una nueva tendencia de envasado activo. Los films o recubrimientos comestibles son láminas delgadas elaboradas con materiales aptos para el consumo y que actúan como una barrera entre el alimento y el ambiente que los rodea, incrementando así la vida útil del producto. Los films obtenidos a partir de polisacáridos, especialmente de almidones, presentan un alto potencial ya que tienen un bajo costo, son transparentes, no confieren olor ni color, poseen una baja permeabilidad al O2 y son biodegradables. Estos sistemas altamente prometedores son capaces de mejorar la calidad, vida útil, seguridad y funcionalidad de los alimentos, y además pueden actuar como carriers de ingredientes activos. En el presente trabajo, se expone la formulación de recubrimientos comestibles a base de almidón de mandioca y adicionados de aceites esenciales (AE), y su posterior evaluación del efecto antimicrobiano frente a la levadura Zygosaccharomyces parabailii, como antecedente de la investigación realizada en el marco de mi tesis de maestría. Sobre la base de los resultados obtenidos en la misma, se propone el actual plan de tesis doctoral que consiste en desarrollar un envase comestible, activo y ecofriendly a base de almidón de mandioca, glicerol y agua, y analizar la viabilidad de la incorporación de pulpas o concentrados de frutas regionales del Nordeste Argentino (mango, guayaba y mamón), estudiando su influencia en las propiedades físicas, mecánicas, de barrera y como fuente natural de polifenoles, antimicrobianos y antioxidantes.

Biodegradation of eugenol-loaded polyhydroxybutyrate films in different soil types

Abstract Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) has been considered as packaging material in many recent applications due to its high crystallinity, biodegradability, low interaction with food matrix and favorable barrier and mechanical properties. Although the incorporation of antimicrobial agents in its structure may control surface microbial contamination of foods, they can affect the film properties. In this study, eugenol-loaded PHB films were prepared using a solvent casting technique, which were subsequently exposed to a biodegradation study for 60 days in agricultural, sandy and landfill soil. Thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction, tensile tests and disk diffusion assay were performed to evaluate the physicochemical and microbiological changes. A concentration-dependent antimicrobial effect was observed. PHB films buried in agricultural soil presented a higher rate of biodegradation, which may be particularly associated with the high fungi load and higher soil-phosphorus availability. The soil acidity, phosphorus availability, moisture level and polymer crystallinity were key factors in explaining the differences in microbial growth and biodegradation rates. The addition of eugenol in PHB films enhanced the crystallinity of the polymer and reduced their mechanical properties. Overall, the incorporation of eugenol in PHB films was a successful approach to develop new active packaging for the food industry.

Surface modification approaches for prevention of implant associated infections

In this highlight, we summarize the surface modification approaches for development of infection-resistant coatings for biomedical devices and implants. We discuss the relevant key and highly cited research that have been published over the last five years which report the generation of infection-resistant coatings. An important strategy utilized to prevent bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation on device/implant surface is anti-adhesive protein repellant polymeric coatings based on polymer brushes or highly hydrated hydrogel networks. Further, the attachment of antimicrobial agents that can efficiently kill bacteria on the surface while also prevent bacterial adhesion on the surface is also investigated. Other approaches include the incorporation of antimicrobial agents to the surface coating resulting in a depot of bactericides which can be released on-demand or with time to prevent bacterial colonization on the surface that kill the adhered bacteria on the surface to make surface infection resistant.

Evaluation of nanomaterials to prevent oral Candidiasis in PMMA based denture wearing patients. A systematic analysis

PurposeThe purpose of this study is the prevention of Candida colonies on PMMA Denture Base by altering the surface and incorporations of Nanoparticles. Materials and methodsThe Pub Med/Medline was searched to identify 100 relevant studies published from 2011 to 2020. The search strategy employed the following keywords related to “use of Nanoparticles in dentistry”, “Antimicrobial agents and PMMA”, “Candidiasis and nanomaterials”, “Prevention of oral Candidiasis”, “Incorporation of antimicrobial agents in acrylic dentures,” “nanoparticles as therapeutic agents for denture stomatitis”, “Nanodentistry” or “Nanotechnology” or “Nanocomposite” or “Nanodrugs” or “Nanomaterials”. ResultsMost of the studies shows that modified PMMA denture base resin containing different antimicrobial coatings and incorporation of metal oxides Nanoparticles and other nanomaterials showed antifungal activity in vitro; however some materials in higher concentration showing altered physical and mechanical properties possibly due to aggregation of Nanoparticles in the lattice of PMMA molecules. ConclusionMetal oxides nanomaterials revealed cytotoxicity to Candida and other microbes present in oral biofilm including PMMA denture surface. Nano toxicity may attribute to direct interaction of nanoparticles with cell membrane, hindrance in protein synthesis and early adhesion & interfere with physiology of pathogens.

Current perspectives and the future of Candida albicans-associated denture stomatitis treatment.

Denture stomatitis (DS) is a multifactorial disease, but the proliferation of Candida albicans (C. albicans) is the main causative factor. Different modalities have been suggested for the prevention and treatment of DS. Among the different approaches that have been implemented to inhibit and control DS there are the topical application of antifungal agents, the surface modification of the denture base and the incorporation of antimicrobial agents into the denture base material. Antifungal agents can effectively control DS, but the recurrence of the disease is common. Accordingly, it has been suggested that coating the surface of the acrylic denture base may result in a decreased fungal adhesion. In recent years, nanotechnology has dominated the research, and several nanoparticles have demonstrated antifungal effects. Therefore, the aim of this article was to review the antifungal effects of the different methods that have been suggested for the prevention and/or control of DS as well as the antimicrobial activity of denture base acrylic resin additives, including nanoparticles. Studies reporting the incorporation of antifungal/antimicrobial agents into the polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) denture base were included in this review. The PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Scopus databases were searched for the articles published between January 2000 and December 2018 using the following key words: dental prosthesis, denture stomatitis, candidiasis, antifungal agents, biofilm formation, polymethyl methacrylate, and PMMA. The antimicrobial material incorporated into the resin may have a superior effect in preventing DS over simply coating the surface of the denture base. However, some antimicrobial fillers can have adverse effects on the physical and mechanical properties of the denture base resin.

Development of novel dental restorative composites with dibasic calcium phosphate loaded chitosan fillers

The incorporation of antimicrobial agents in restorative dental composites has the potential to slow the development of carious lesions. ObjectiveThe objectives of the present study were to develop experimental composite resins with chitosan or chitosan loaded with dibasic calcium phosphate anhydrous (DCPA) particles and to demonstrate their antimicrobial potential without loss of mechanical properties or biocompatibility. MethodsChitosan and chitosan/DCPA particles were synthetized by the electrospray method. Experimental composites were formulated by adding 0, 0.5, or 1.0 wt% particles into a resin matrix along with 60 wt% barium glass. The degree of conversion and mechanical properties were measured after 1 and 90 days of aging in water after photoactivation. Cytotoxicity and genotoxicity were evaluated using fibroblasts from dental pulp in conditioned medium. The antimicrobial activity against Streptococcus mutans was assessed by crystal violet biofilm assay. ResultsThe experimental restorative composites were not found to be cytotoxic or genotoxic, with cell viability of 93.1 ± 8.0% (p = 0.328) and 3.0 ± 0.8% micronucleus per group (p = 0.1078), respectively. The antimicrobial results showed that all composites with approximately 20% less biofilm (p < 0.001) relative to the control. No chitosan release was detected from the composites, suggesting direct contact of the bacteria with exposed chitosan particles on the surface was responsible for the observed antimicrobial effect. The addition of the chitosan and chitosan/DCPA submicrometer (<250 nm average diameter) particles to restorative composites did not change the degree of conversion, flexural strength, elastic modulus and fracture toughness compared to the control group after 90 days aging in water. SignificanceIt can be concluded that the addition of chitosan or chitosan/DCPA particles in the restorative composites induced antimicrobial activity without compromising the mechanical properties or biocompatibility of the composites.

Preparation of low-density polyethylene–silver ion antimicrobial film with and without ethylene-vinyl acetate

The incorporation of antimicrobial agents into packaging materials is an effective method to inhibit the microbial population and aimed at specific microorganisms to provide better and safe products. The present study aims at developing an effective antimicrobial film with silver ions as an antimicrobial agent with and without ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA). In the present work, two different masterbatches (MBs) were prepared. In the first case MB of 90%, linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) and 10% silver ions as an antimicrobial agent were prepared. In the second case MB of 80%, LLDPE, 10% silver ion, and 10% EVA were prepared. An antimicrobial film with low-density polyethylene and different percentages of the MB (0–30%) was prepared and tested under Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS Z 2801:2000) for Escherichia coli bacteria and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. With the increase in the percentage loading of MB, the living amount of bacteria decreases. The decrease in the living amount of bacteria was greater when EVA was incorporated.

Biodegradable polymers and green-based antimicrobial packaging materials: A mini-review

Abstract Recently, the demands for biodegradable and renewable materials for packaging applications have increased tremendously. This rise in demand is connected to the growing environmental concerns over the extensive use of synthetic and non-biodegradable polymeric packaging, polyethylene in particular. The performance of biodegradable polymers is discussed in this review, with a particular focus on the blends of starch and other polymers. Furthermore, in food packaging industry, microbial activities are of great concern. Therefore, incorporation of antimicrobial agents or polymers to produce barrier-enhanced or active packaging materials provides an attractive option for protecting food from microorganism development and spread. Additionally, the barrier, mechanical and other properties of biodegradable polymers are discussed. Lastly, the existing and potential applications for bioactive coatings on antimicrobial packaging materials are also addressed.

Antimicrobial additives for poly(lactic acid) materials and their applications: current state and perspectives.

Poly(lactic acid)-based antimicrobial materials received considerable attention as promising systems to control microbial growth. The remarkable physicochemical properties of PLA such as renewability, biodegradability, and US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for clinical use open up interesting perspectives for application in food packaging and biomedical materials. Nowadays, there is an increasing consumer demands for fresh, high-quality, and natural foods packaged with environmentally friendly materials that prolong the shelf life. The incorporation of antimicrobial agents into PLA-based polymers is likely to lead to the next generation of packaging materials. The development of antimicrobial PLA materials as a delivery system or coating for biomedical devices is also advantageous in order to reduce possible dose-dependent side effects and limit the phenomena of antibiotic resistance. This mini-review summarizes the most recent advances made in antimicrobial PLA-based polymers including their preparation, biocidal action, and applications. It also highlights the potential of PLA systems as efficient stabilizers-carriers of various kinds of antimicrobial additives including essential oils and other natural compounds, active particles and nanoparticles, and conventional and synthetic molecules.

Polymers and Biopolymers with Antiviral Activity: Potential Applications for Improving Food Safety.

Gastroenteritis and hepatitis, caused by human noroviruses (HuNoVs) and hepatitis A virus (HAV), respectively, are the most common illnesses resulting from the consumption of food contaminated with human enteric viruses. Food-grade polymers can be tailor designed to improve food safety, either as novel food-packaging materials imparting active antimicrobial properties, applied in food contact surfaces to avoid cross-contamination, or as edible coatings to increase fresh produce's shelf life. The incorporation of antimicrobial agents into food-grade polymers can be used to control the food microbiota and even target specific foodborne pathogens to improve microbiological food safety and to enhance food quality. Enteric viruses are responsible for one fifth of acute gastroenteritis cases worldwide and the development of food-grade polymers and biopolymers with antiviral activity for food applications is a topic of increased interest, both for academia and the food industry, even though developments are still limited. This review compiles existing studies in this widely unexplored area and highlights the potential of these developments to improve viral food safety.

Development and structural characterization of edible films for improving fruit quality

Abstract The antimicrobial films and coatings can play an important role in reducing postharvest losses and boosting packaging industry. Gluten based films were prepared by incorporating pomegranate peel and curry leaf extracts. Proximate analysis of edible films revealed no unfavorable changes in its characteristics after incorporation of antimicrobial agents. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of curry leaves powder extract against Staphylococcus aureus and Micrococcus luteus were 7.81 mg/mL and 15.62 mg/mL, respectively. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis showed higher gallic acid in pomegranate peel extract (0.31 ± 0.01 μg/mg) than murraya leaves extract (0.29 ± 0.03 μg/mg). Scanning electron microscope studies did not show significant differences in cross linking. The films of curry leaves and pomegranate extract are good in its structural stability and best for food products. The main significance of these bioactive extracts can be used to make edible films to increase shelf life of fruits and vegetables.

Component Release and Mechanical Properties of Endodontic Sealers following Incorporation of Antimicrobial Agents.

Root canal sealers with antimicrobial activity are highly beneficial; therefore, their antimicrobial properties could be improved by incorporation of antimicrobial agents. In the present study, the release of the quaternary ammonium compounds from endodontic sealers admixed with either benzalkonium chloride (BC) or cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) at loadings of 2% wt was monitored. The effect of these additives on the compressive strengths and their release from the sealers was determined after 1 and 4 weeks. All of the materials studied were found to be capable of releasing antimicrobial additive in useful quantities. The release of CPC occurred to a statistically significant greater extent than BC for all materials. The addition of both BC and CPC generally decreased the compressive strength of all the endodontic sealers, with the exception of CPC in AH Plus, where the compressive strength was significantly increased. This suggests that, for these endodontic sealers, the antimicrobial additives alter the setting chemistry. AH Plus is an epoxy-based material cured with an amine, and in this case the increase in compressive strength with CPC is attributed to an enhanced cure reaction with this system. In all other cases, the additive inhibited the cure reaction to a greater or lesser extent.

Synthesis, antibacterial evaluation and survey on the thermophysical characteristics of novel medically applicable polyamides containing pharmaceutically outstanding triazole moieties

ABSTRACTThere are many different strategies to decrease the incidence of infection of medical device and food related containers. One way to prevent infection is by modifying the polymers used in making the devices and containers. Incorporation of antimicrobial agents in the bulk material or in formulations of medical devices production has been considered a viable alternative for systemic application of antibiotics. In this article, preparation of a series of triazole containing polymers, poly(triazole-amide-imide)s (PTAI)s and poly(triazole-amide) (PTA)s, and their monomers are reported. These polymers were readily soluble in a variety of organic solvents, showed significant thermal properties and also viscosities in the range of 0.55–0.66 dL/g. They have been tested against a range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens. The results indicated that these novel polymers containing triazole moiety in their repeating units can effectively control Gram-positive and negative pathogens and their physic-chemical properties besides their antibacterial characteristics make them unique candidate for using in the manufacturing of the medical devices.

Restorative materials containing antimicrobial agents: is there evidence for their antimicrobial and anticaries effects? A systematic review.

The aim of this systematic literature review was to investigate whether the incorporation of antimicrobial agents into dental restorative materials truly exerts an antimicrobial effect against common cariogenic bacteria (primary outcome), and whether the inclusion of antimicrobial agents is able to prevent caries around restorations (secondary outcome). MEDLINE, via PubMed, was searched for papers published between 1980 and 30 November 2014. A total of 1126 articles were retrieved. After inclusion/exclusion assessment, 147 full text articles were read and included in the review, comprising 130 invitro, 1 insitu, and 4 invivo studies, as well as 12 literature reviews. In about 78% of invitro studies, and in all identified insitu and invivo studies, a positive antimicrobial effect had been found. However, the anticaries effect had not been tested in any of the selected studies. It was concluded that there is indeed evidence that restorative dental materials containing antimicrobial agents exert an antimicrobial effect, both in laboratory and in clinical studies. However, no evidence has been found regarding the role of these agents in preventing or controlling dental caries, or in preventing caries around restorations.

Conditions to Prolonged Release of Microencapsulated Carvacrol on Alginate Films as Affected by Emulsifier Type and PH

Alginate from algal biomass is used as edible film and the incorporation of antimicrobial agents improves its performance to increase the shelf-life of fresh foods. However, environmental conditions and intrinsic properties of films influence their release. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the concentration and type of encapsulating agent and pH of emulsions on the physical and antimicrobial properties of alginate-carvacrol films. Films containing alginate, carvacrol as antimicrobial agent, and Tween 20 or trehalose (0.25 and 0.75% w/w) as encapsulating agents were obtained from suspensions at pH 4 and pH 8. Physical characterization of emulsions and films and antimicrobial properties (E. coliandB. cinerea) was evaluated. Results showed that droplets size depended on trehalose concentration, but emulsion stability depended on pH and type of encapsulating agent, being more stable samples with trehalose at pH 4. Although films with Tween 20 presented the highest opacity, they showed the best antimicrobial properties at initial time; however, during storage time, they lost their activity before samples with trehalose and relative humidity (RH) was the principal factor to influence their release. Therefore, sample formulated with 0.25% trehalose at pH 4 and stored at 75% RH had the best potential as edible film for fresh fruits.

Effect of the addition of antimicrobial agents on Shore A hardness and roughness of soft lining materials.

While the incorporation of antimicrobial agents into soft denture liners has been suggested as a reliable alternative treatment for denture stomatitis, it may affect the liner's properties. The effect of addition of antimicrobial agents for the treatment of denture stomatitis on the surface roughness and Shore A hardness of soft lining materials was evaluated. The test groups comprised specimens (36 × 7 × 6 mm(3) ) of soft materials (Softone and Trusoft) without (control) or with incorporation of drugs (nystatin, miconazole, ketoconazole, chlorhexidine diacetate, and itraconazole). Hardness (Shore A) and roughness (Ra) were evaluated after immersion of specimens (n = 10) in distilled water at 37°C for 24 hours, 7 and 14 days. Data were analyzed by 3-way ANOVA/Tukey's test (α = 0.05). After 14 days, an increase (p < 0.05) was observed in the hardness of soft materials with time for the modified specimens, except for itraconazole. Addition of drugs increased the Softone roughness only for the addition of miconazole and chlorhexidine (p < 0.05), and did not increase the roughness of Trusoft with time. Only chlorhexidine and itraconazole altered the roughness compared to the control for each material (p < 0.05). The smallest changes of hardness and roughness with time in the modified groups compared to controls were observed for itraconazole groups for both materials.

Spectrum Activity and Lauric Acid Release Behaviour of Antimicrobial Starch-based Film

This study aimed at the development of antimicrobial (AM) packaging based on wheat starch incorporated with chitosan and lauric acid as antimicrobial agents. A series of blends with different ratio of starch, chitosan and lauric acid (S:C:LA) were prepared by casting method. Effects of incorporation of antimicrobial agents into starch-based film were investigated in order to improve the spectrum activity based on measured distributions of inhibitory results. The diffusivity equation approach for describing the antimicrobial effects was also extended to include information about the molecular size of particles in the formed matrices. The Agar Disc Diffusion Assay and Liquid Culture Test measure the distributions of inhibitory effect towards type of bacterial contamination in terms of Gram-positive, Gram-negative and their combination of wider spectrum activity in the blend films. For the first time, the inhibition size distribution resulting from rationing of base polymers and lauric acid as filler in the starch-base film itself was quantified. Spectrum activity of different Gram-stained bacteria as measured by the bacterial growth inhibition, gave surprisingly consistent pattern on rationing of compositions in the film. This indicates that the spectrum activity produced by the antimicrobial components can be related directly to the ratio on blending during film preparation. This phenomenon is proven by dominating of chitosan (S:C:LA ratio 1:9:0.08 to 3:7:0.24) for 48% increase of effective E. coli inhibition (Gram-negative bacteria). More positively, however, it signifies that the affinity of lauric acid towards starch as reported by previous researches indicates relatively unambiguously the ratio required to achieve a constant degree of B. subtilis (Gram-positive) bacterial inhibition from starch/lauric acid dominating of S:C:LA ratio at 4:6:0.32 to 7:3:0.56. Furthermore, S:C:LA ratio 8:2:0.64 and 9:1:0.72 showed good synergic inhibition of 54% higher relative to sole chitosan towards both bacteria. Further studies of antimicrobial effects investigated the mode of release from the base film. The release of lauric acid in fatty acid food stimulant was satisfactorily expressed by Fickian-diffusion mechanism described by zero order kinetics which indicated that lauric acid released from the film matrix remains constant over time.