Preparation of antimicrobial coatings based on the incorporation of chitosan and Piper betle Linn extract for application in food packaging

Abstract

   The current work aims to sucesfully fabricate edible active packaging based on the combination of chitosan and Piper betle Linn extract (BL). The blend films containing low BL content (1-3%) were prepared via a facile solvent casting technique. The SEM analyses showed the homogeneous dispersion of BL in chitosan matrix at BL concentration of below 3%. The light transmittance of composite films significantly decreased while haize percentage increased with increasing BL content from 1% to 3%. Furthermore, BL extract incorporated into chitosan film improved antimicrobial activities against salmonella typhimurium. It is found that chitosan-BL films eshibited strong inhibitory effects against salmonella typhimurium after 6, 12 and 24 hr exposed at 1-3% BL concentration. The results of this study nominate the as-prepared BL-incorporated chitosan as a very promising material for application in food package.