Antimicrobial zein/glucomannan edible films with pomegranate polyphenols and meadow sage essential oil for enhanced food preservation
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31989/ffhd.v15i6.1646Abstract
Background: Edible coatings have garnered considerable attention in recent years as sustainable alternatives to conventional food packaging, owing to their safety, biodegradability, and environmental compatibility. Natural polymers, such as proteins and polysaccharides, are widely used to develop edible films with favorable mechanical strength and gas barrier properties.
Objective: This study investigates the incorporation of bioactive compounds from Meadow Sage (Salvia pratensis) and polyphenols from pomegranate peel (Punica granatum L.) into a biopolymer matrix composed of zein (Z) and glucomannan (GM). The mechanical, moisture barrier, and antimicrobial properties of the resulting composite films were evaluated to assess their potential in functional food applications.
Methods: Essential oils from S. pratensis (SEO) and polyphenolic extracts from P. granatum (PPhC), sourced from plants grown in Tajikistan, were incorporated into Z/GM-based edible films. The structural properties, antioxidant activity, mechanical behavior, and antimicrobial effects of the films were systematically characterized.
Results: The bioactive films demonstrated strong radical scavenging activity. The addition of SEO enhanced the hydrophobicity of the films, resulting in improved moisture barrier performance. While the films exhibited moderate tensile strength, they showed increased flexibility; notably, SEO significantly increased elongation at break to 184.2% (P < 0.05). Films containing BAC concentrations of 20–50 µg/mL displayed broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as yeast strains.
Novelty and Contribution: This study presents a novel approach to developing biodegradable edible films incorporating plant-derived bioactive compounds for active food packaging. The functional enhancement of the films, particularly in terms of mechanical resilience and antimicrobial efficacy, underscores their potential as carriers of bioactive ingredients in the context of functional foods.
Conclusion: Z/GM edible films enriched with PPhC and SEO show promising properties for food coating applications. Their biodegradability, combined with enhanced antimicrobial and barrier functions, positions them as eco-friendly, functional alternatives for next-generation food packaging systems.
Keywords: glucomannan, zein, edible films, polyphenols, essential oils, antibacterial activity.
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