Antimicrobial films were developed with the incorporation of cinnamaldehyde at 5, 10 and 20% v/w. The growth inhibition activities of the films were evaluated for the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli and for the fungi Fusarium oxysporum and Aspergillus flavus. Their mechanical properties were also evaluated. For the bacteria, with the exception of E. coli, the inhibition zones increased with the increase in concentration of cinnamaldehyde in the film. Regardless of the cinnamaldehyde concentration the average film thickness was 32.47 µm and the mean relative deformation at maximum film load was 2.05% at 8 ºC and 1.72% at 25 ºC. The film containing 10% of cinnamaldehyde showed a maximum load of 108.26 N, significantly lower (p<0.05) than the films with 0% and 5%.The results showed the potential of the films with cinnamaldehyde incorporated as alternative active packaging for the control of the growth of microorganisms in foods.
Active packaging; Antimicrobial films; Halo test; Steam permeability; Mechanical properties
