Scientific Study

Active packaging is a relatively novel concept of packaging that changes the conditions of the packaged food to extend its shelf-life and improve its safety. In this study; antimicrobial effects of carboxymethyl cellulose based-edible film containing potassium sorbate as an antimicrobial agent were studied against Aspergillus flavus (PTCC-5004); Aspergillus parasiticus (PTCC-5286) and Aspergillus parasiticus (PTCC-5018) by using agar diffusion assay. Results showed suitable inhibition effects against Aspergillus parasiticus (PTCC-5286) and Aspergillus flavus (PTCC-5004) in comparison with Aspergillus parasiticus (PTCC-5018). Pistachios were coated with this edible antimicrobial film containing three concentrations of sorbate (1; 0.5 and 0.25 g/100 mL film solution); all concentrations showed no growth of molds. Tensile strength values of films with potassium sorbate; decreased when compared to control; and film's flexibility; was 28.82 percent for 3 g/100 mL sorbate; while higher concentration of sorbate; decreased the flexibility. The water vapor permeability values (WVP) of films were determined to be 1.18 (g mm/m2 day kPa) for films plasticized with glycerol; without sorbate while WVP values for the films containing 1 and 2 g/100 mL sorbate increased to 3.77 and 15.5 (g mm/m2 day kPa); respectively. The observed glass transition temperature (TG) depression for these polymer blends was related to the plasticizer content (water; polyethylene; and glycerol); especially water.