Innovative multilayer antimicrobial films made with Nisaplin® or nisin and cellulosic ethers: Physico-chemical characterization, bioactivity and nisin desorption kinetics

Abstract In this study, ethylcellulose/hydroxypropylmethylcellulose/ethylcellulose (EC/HPMC/EC) three-layer films including Nisaplin® or nisin and lecithins were formulated. Lecithins were used as plasticizers to ensure cohesion between hydrophobic ethylcellulose and hydrophilic HPMC layers. It was observed that the introduction of pure nisin or its non-pure commercial form Nisaplin® into films didn't significantly alter their mechanical and optical properties. Additionally, these nisin or Nisaplin-loaded multilayer films showed significant antimicrobial activity. The comparison of inhibition diameters obtained with EC/HPMC film used as control and EC/HPMC/EC films demonstrated that the three-layer films delayed nisin desorption. This was confirmed by the kinetics of nisin release in a (0.8% w/v) NaCl solution at 28 °C: nisin from two-layer EC/HPMC films totally desorbed within 0.5 h, while the three-layer films allowed to expand nisin release time over 20 h. The ratio of nisin desorption coefficients ( k d ): k d (EC/HPMC) / k d (EC/HPMC/EC) was determined after desorption modelling, and was found to be up to 118, proving that multilayer films with hydrophobic layers could be a potential way to control nisin release from antimicrobial bio-packagings. Industrial relevance This paper concerns active packaging, considered as a new approach to preserve food shelf life. Active packaging is a real gain for plastic and food industrials. Coating was used to obtain antimicrobial packaging. The impact of incorporating the antimicrobial agent in multilayer films on the release kinetics is investigated.