Characterization of carvacrol incorporated antimicrobial film based on agar/konjac glucomannan and its application in chicken preservation

The objective of this study was to fabricate and characterize antimicrobial films based on Agar/Konjac glucomannan (KA) incorporated with carvacrol (CV) (1%, 1.5% and 2%). The physical, structural and antimicrobial properties were studied to evaluate the effects of carvacrol on the composite films. Results indicated that the addition of 2% CV markedly enhanced the tensile strength (36.72 MPa), elongation at break (100.19%), hydrophobic properties and UV barrier properties compared with KA film. X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy , and scanning electron microscopy indicated good compatibility and the formation of intermolecular hydrogen bonds. Additionally, the addition of 2% CV showed strong antimicrobial activities against the most common food spoiling bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli . Finally, the potential application of the films was evaluated by the packing test of chicken, where KA-2% CV was able to prolong the shelf life of refrigerated chicken breast from 5 days to 9 days. Overall, the composite films incorporating 2% carvacrol was a promising antimicrobial packing material to displace petrochemical-based plastics to extend the shelf life of foods .