Carboxymethyl cellulose-coated polypropylene films containing essential oil for food preservation

Abstract Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) is obtained by the carboxymethylation of cellulose, which modifies its structure and results in excellent ability to form biodegradable low-toxicity films. In addition, CMC has strong hydrophilicity and a stable internal network structure. Such properties have been widely used to produce composite films with improved performance. Lipid compounds are often used to form moisture barrier films/coatings. For example, lipid compounds coupled with a fruit and vegetable coating are able to reduce desiccation-induced weight loss during storage by 40%–75%. The confinement and interactions between polymers and essential oils (EOs) greatly affect the dynamics and static of biocomposite polymers. EOs cause interactions that can “attract” or “repel” the polymeric matrix, and this ends up creating peaks with different properties depending on the concentration of EO added. The antimicrobial properties of EOs derived from many plants have been widely recognized for centuries, but scientific studies have only been confirmed in recent times. Environmental factors such as light, oxygen, and humidity can trigger chemical changes in food products and, therefore, lead to an acceleration in their degradation. The applicability of films for the longer life of some products is advancing rapidly. The addition of EOs in films confers several advantages in the storage and consumption of some raw materials.