Antibacterial biofilms based on calcium caseinate incorporated with carvacrol

ARRIETA, MARINA P.; M. PELTZER; M.C. GARRIGOZ; A. JIMÉNEZ

Microbes in Applied Research: Current Advances and Challenges

World Scientific Publishing Co

Año: 2012; p. 469 - 473

Biofilms containing antimicrobial agents are gaining importance as environmentally-friendly food packaging systems to extend product shelf life. Biofilms based on calcium caseinate, plasticized with three different concentrations of glycerol (15, 25 and 35 wt%) and with 10 wt% of carvacrol, were prepared by solvent casting. Their biodegradation was tested under composting conditions by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, while barrier properties were evaluated by determining oxygen transmission rate. Finally, antimicrobial effectiveness against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus was tested by using the agar diffusion method. Calcium caseinate based biofilms showed rapid degradation under composting conditions and excellent oxygen barrier properties in all cases. Formulations with carvacrol exhibited clear inhibitory effects against both bacteria tested. These results showed the potential of calcium caseinate as a matrix for bioactive packaging systems, leading to a possible increase in foodstuffshelf life by reducing oxidative degradation and decreasing microbial contamination.