Chia Seed Mucilage Edible Films with Origanum vulgare and Satureja montana Essential Oils: Characterization and Antifungal Properties

Abstract

Films made with mucilage obtained from defatted chia seeds and incorporated with oregano (Origanum vulgare) and savory (Satureja montana) essential oils (0.1,1.0 and 1.5% v/v) were prepared to evaluate their physical, optical, mechanical and antifungal properties as well as their microstructure. The use of different types of essential oils (oregano or savory) only had a significant effect on the light transmittance, total color difference (∆E) and antifungal activity of the films. However, the kind of essential oil was not significant for the physical, optical and mechanical properties of the films. Increasing concentrations of essential oils up to 1.5% v/v led to a decrease in tensile strength (TS) and elongation at break (EB). Antifungal properties significantly increased with the incorporation of essential oils (p < 0.05). The antifungal activity of the chia mucilage films incorporated with O. vulgare and S. montana essential oil was screened by agar disc-diffusion assay against five mold strains commonly found in foods. Films containing 0.1% v/v of essential oils were not active, whereas films containing 1.0 and 1.5% v/v were very effective at inhibiting the growth of the tested mold strains (38.01–77.66%). Scanning electron microscopy showed that incorporation of essential oils caused some heterogeneity in the films and the surface displayed no pores or cracks as well as a better integration of oregano EO in the polymeric network. The results pointed out that the incorporation of oregano and savory essential oils as a natural antimicrobial agent has appreciable potential for the development of films as active packaging to control mold contamination and increase food safety.

Fabrication and Characterization of ZnO Nanoparticles-Based Biocomposite Films Prepared Using Carboxymethyl Cellulose, Taro Mucilage, and Black Cumin Seed Oil for Evaluation of Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities

“…On the contrary, the film containing BCS oil (F3) exhibited a cracked structure and pores, possibly due to the evaporation of the essential oil from BCS oil during drying. This was also evident from a study by Muñoz-Tébar et al [37], who reported that films comprised of chia mucilage and essential oil exhibited smooth surfaces devoid of pores or cracks, indicating that the film solution maintained a stable emulsion system after drying. The same results were also observed by Ghamari et al [15], who found a pore and crack structure in the film's microstructure containing BCS oil.…”

Ibero‐American grains as a source of biomaterials for the manufacture of films and coatings: Green alternative of the XXI century for sustainable development

“…The results showed that, the smaller the amount of chia flour, the lower the film thickness, going from 0.274 to 0.194 mm, contrary to its moisture content, which decreased as the chia flour content was higher (from 12.23% to 7.42%); regarding solubility in water, there was no greater variation because the levels remained between 25.43% and 25.57%. Another study of films made with chia is the study carried out by Muñoz‐Tébar et al (2022) in which films were made with chia mucilage and essential oils of Origanum vulgare and Satureja montana ; in this the use of different types of essential oils only had a significant effect on the light transmission, the total color difference (∆ E ) and the antifungal activity of the films. However, the type of essential oil was not significant for the physical, optical and mechanical properties of the films.…”

The Characterization of Biodegradable Films and Food Packaging

“…Four other research groups studied the performance of antimicrobial compounds when incorporated into a film matrix. Muñoz-Tébar et al [3] prepared bioplastics with chia mucilage, which also contained Origanum vulgare and Satureja montana essential oils, and tested their antifungal, mechanical and physical properties. In addition, Santos et al [4] prepared PLA-based films with bactericidal activity against Listeria mono-cytogenes and Salmonella enterica by adding MXene (Ti 3 C 2 T x ) into the film composition.…”