The antimicrobial activity of essential oils (EO) is very well-known and it has been 13 reported that incorporating them into edible films based on biopolymers extends the 14 food's shelf-life. In this study, cinnamon, clove and oregano EO, at 25% with respect to 15 the polymer, were incorporated into glycerol plasticized starch-gelatin blend films (ratio
Films based on starch-gellan blends at 9:1 and 8:2 ratios containing emulsified or lecithin encapsulated thyme (Thymus zygis) essential oil (EO) (0.25 or 0.5 g/g polymer), were obtained by casting method and characterized as to their structural, functional (mechanical, barrier and optical) and in vitro antifungal properties against Alternaria alternata (AA) and Botryotinia fuckeliana (BF). The EO retention during the film formation was also quantified. Lecithin encapsulation of the EO allowed for greater oil retention (45-55%), which enhanced the antifungal activity of the films, which were more effective against BF than AA. All films exhibited high oxygen barrier capacity, while lecithin improved the films water barrier properties and gloss, conferring them with a slightly brownish color. Lecithin also reduced the film stiffness and resistance to break and extensibility. Of the studied formulations, 8:2 S:G films with lecithin-encapsulated EO were very effective at controlling fungal growth, while exhibiting adequate functional properties as packaging/coating materials.
Aloe vera gel, analysed as to its antifungal properties against six fungi causing plant diseases, was found to be most effective against Fusarium oxysporum. It was included in different ratios in starch based films plastiziced with glycerol to obtain antifungal films. These were characterized as to their physical (barrier and optical) and structural properties. Films containing the highest ratio of Aloe vera solids (1:1, with respect to starch) and different glycerol mass ratios with respect to starch (0.15 and 0.25) were analysed as to the water sorption and water plasticization effects, in order to discover the water sensitivity of the films in different RH ambients. Films with 0.15 g glycerol/g starch were more homogenous, with a lower degree of starch crystallization, reduced water vapor permeability and higher gloss and transparency. These films with the highest Aloe vera ratio were effective at controlling fungal decay and weight loss in cherry tomatoes.
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