An experimental study on characteristics of sago starch film treated with methanol extract from Artemisia sieberi Besser

The present study aimed at investigation of the influence of methanol extract from Artemisia sieberi on some important physical and mechanical properties as well as antibacterial activity of sago starch film. Experiments were performed using various concentrations (0, 1, 3, 5 and 10%) of the extract incorporated with the films. The obtained results revealed that the physical properties of the films were significantly (P < 0.05) enhanced by increasing concentration of the extract. The water solubility, water absorption capacity and water vapor permeability of the films changed from 21.31 to 26.47%, from 1.98 to 3.93 g water/g dry matter and from 1.63 to 2.93 g/m.s.Pa, respectively. In comparison with the control films, both the tensile strength and Young’s modulus of the incorporated films were meaningfully (P < 0.05) lower and varied in the range of 4.91‒6.43 MPa and 87.04‒118.55 MPa, respectively. The elasticity of the films was continually increased with the increasing concentration of the extract. Good antimicrobial activity against both the Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria was observed for the films.