Rardniyom, Chanun (2009) Development of Multi-layer Films Containing Natural Antimicrobial Agents. PhD thesis, Victoria University.

Abstract

In this research, multi-layer packaging films comprising an inner coating layer containing natural antimicrobial (AM) agents were developed. Volatile essential oils obtained from plant extracts including carvacrol, linalool and methylchavicol were used as the active AM agents in the coating layer. The amount of natural AM agents and the composition of the coating system required to provide the optimum AM effect in food media and on Cheddar cheese was explored. The stability of the AM coatings in various food simulants was also explored. In the film preparation, the AM coatings were embedded between low-density polyethylene (LDPE) layers to construct multilayer AM films. Investigation of the retention and subsequent release of the AM agent from multi-layer films suggested that a coating layer consisting of ethylacrylatemethylmethacrylate performs satisfactorily as the carrier for the AM agent. Furthermore, LDPE is able to successfully control the release of the AM agent into food simulants. The controlling layer thickness, AM layer thickness and the solubility of AM agent are critical factors affecting the overall effectiveness of the multi-layer AM film. At subambient temperatures, the multi-layer AM films successfully inhibited the growth of E. coli in liquid food media and on Cheddar cheese.

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