Production and Characterization of Antimicrobial Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC) Films Containing Essentiol Oils of Satureja khuzistanica, Zataria multiflora, Allium sativum and Bunium persicum

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate antimicrobial effects of <em>Zataria multiflora </em>Boiss. <em>Satureja khuzistanica</em> Jamzad, <em>Bunium persicum</em> (Boiss.) B. Fedtsch. and <em>Allium sativum</em> L. essential oils and the use of the most effective one in packaging and evaluation of the film properties. The antimicrobial activity against <em>P. aeruginosa</em>, <em>S. aureus</em>, <em>E.coli</em>, <em>B. cereus</em>, <em>S. enteritidis</em> was studied using the disk diffusion method and MIC and MBC was determined<em>. </em>Then CMC films produced with the addition of <em>Zataria multiflora</em> Boiss. And <em>Satureja khuzistanica</em> essential oils (1.6%, 2.4%, and 3.2%). The addition of essential oils caused to reduce the moisture content to 16.25% and 17.91%, solubility to 69.01% and 64.78%, the color difference to 21.50 and 12.86 and tensile strength to 54.12 and 29.26 ­Mpa, respectively. An increase in concentration of <em>Satureja khuzistanica </em>essential oil made the film more resistant to water diffusion by 1.05×10^-13(g/s m Pa) compared to<em> Zataria multiflora</em>. Regarding the possibility of producing the degradable film with antimicrobial essential oils, it is desirable to use these materials to increase food shelf life.