Characterization of antimicrobial multilayer film based on ethylcellulose-pectin incorporated with nanoemulsions of trans-cinnamaldehyde essential oil

• Published in: Food Chemistry: X Vol. 22; p. 101261
• Main Authors: Baghi, Fatemeh, Gharsallaoui, Adem, Dumas, Emilie, Agusti, Géraldine, Ghnimi, Sami
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Ltd 30.06.2024; Elsevier
• Subjects: Active packaging; Antimicrobial activity; Ethylcellulose; Life Sciences; Multilayer film; Nanoemulsion; Pectin; Antimicrobial activity; Pectin; Multilayer film; Active packaging; Nanoemulsion; Ethylcellulose
• ISSN: 2590-1575; 2590-1575
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fochx.2024.101261

•The thicker ethylcellulose outer layer improves UV–visible light blocking capability.•The thicker multilayer film had greater whiteness and less color difference and yellowness index.•Thicker multilayer films showed better stretchability and resistance, but less flexibility.•Thermal stability was slightly improved by increasing ethylcellulose thickness; however, the glass transition temperature did not change by changing thickness.•Thicker multilayer films had smaller inhibition zones on Gram + and Gram- bacteria. In this study, polymer solution casting was utilized to fabricate a multilayer film with ethylcellulose (EC) as the outer layers and trans-cinnamaldehyde-loaded pectin as the inner layer. A significant increase in whiteness and UV–visible light blocking capability and a remarkable decrease in total color difference and yellowness of the films were seen via increasing the thickness of EC outer layers. Scanning electronic microscopy observation showed that the inner and outer layers had a smooth and uniform surfaces with clear boundary. The thicker film has better stretchability and strength, but is less flexible than thinner film. Glass transition temperature did not change remarkably with increasing thickness of EC outer layers, but thermal stability was slightly improved. FTIR-ATR spectra revealed the formation of hydrogen bonds between the two adjacent layers. The multilayer films exhibited excellent antimicrobial efficacy against Gram-positive and Gram-negative foodborne pathogens. The results suggested that this multilayer film has potential applications in active food packaging.