Bilguisse, Mamadou Wane (2020) Properties and antimicrobial activity of starch/CNF/thymol films for food packaging application. [Project Paper] (Submitted)
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Abstract
The application of starch films in the food packaging industy has been restricted due to the poor mechanical and barrier properties. However, the addition of cellulose nanofibers (CNF) to the starch films as a reinforcing agent, may improve the properties of the films. Furthermore, food shelf life which is an important factor of food products, can be extended by incorporating antimicrobial agents such as thymol into the starch-based films. Starch/CNF films incorporated with different concentrations of thymol (3,5,7, and 10 wt%) were produced using the solvent casting method. The physical, mechanical, barrier, and antimicrobial properties of the films were evaluated. For the physical properties, the color and opacity of the films were determined using a colorimeter whereas the thickness of the films was determined using a digital micrometer. The mechanical properties were analyzed in terms of tensile strength (TS), elongation at break (EAB), and Young's modulus (YM) using a texture analyzer. Meanwhile, the barrier properties particularly water vapor permeability (WVP) was investigated using a modified dry cup method. For the antimicrobial activity of the films, in vitro study was conducted by observing the clear inhibition zone of the films against Escherichia Coli. Besides, in vivo test was conducted whereby the films were put in direct contact with fresh meat inoculated with Escherichia Coli suspension, and the population was counted on designated reading days (days 3,5, and 7). It was found that the TS and YM of the films decreased while the EAB increased with the increase of th5rmol concentrations added into the films. Furthermore, the addition of thymol at high concentrations (7 and 10 wt%) improved the barrier properties of the films by reducing the WVP. Starch/CNF films incorporated with thymol were also found to exhibited antimicrobial activity against Escherichia Coli. Finally, it was demonstrated that starch/CNF films incorporated with thymol were suitable to be used as flexible active food packaging films due to their improved properties in terms of EAB and barriers properties and the ability to inhibit microbial growth.
| Item Type: | Project Paper |
|---|---|
| Subjects: | Q Science > QD Chemistry |
| Faculty: | Faculty of Engineering |
| Depositing User: | Ms. AZLINA ZAINAL ABIDIN |
| Date Deposited: | 06 May 2026 04:05 |
| Last Modified: | 06 May 2026 04:05 |
| URI: | http://psaspb.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/2805 |
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