Biodegradable and antimicrobial CSC films containing cinnamon essential oil for preservation applications

Abstract The degradable antibacterial film (CSC) was prepared by overcoating method using chitosan as the outer layer and the mixture of sodium alginate and the amphiphilic starch encapsulated anti-bacterial cinnamon essential oil (CMS-LS-CO) as the intermediate layer, which was used in place of polyethylene film. The surface structural, biodegradability, mechanical, transmittance, antibacterial and preservation properties of the CSC films were investigated, considering the effects of CMS-LS-CO concentration. As the addition of CMS-LS-CO at 0.25, 0.5 and 1 % increased, TS and elongation at break of CSC films decreased and the water vapor permeability had little change. When CMS-LS-CO was added at 0.5 %, CSC films achieved better preservation and mechanical properties, at the same time, the inhibition rates of E. coli and S. aureus were 36 % and 30 %, respectively. The preservation experiment on cherry tomatoes showed that the CSC films exhibited a certain freshness effect, which maintained higher hardness and lower weight loss rate within two weeks than polyethylene films. The nature degradation of the films showed that the soil biodegradability rate reached 70 % in 28 days. Compared to polyethylene films, the degradable CSC films had excellent antimicrobial activity and preservation properties, showing higher potential for fruit preservation applications.