Functional effectiveness of double essential oils@yam starch/microcrystalline cellulose as active antibacterial...

In this work, two combinations of double EOs, i.e., α-terpineol: eugenol (α-T:Eu) and carvacrol:eugenol (CA:Eu), are used to develop the active antibacterial films of double EOs@yam starch/microcrystalline cellulose (EOs@SC). The hydrogen-bonded networks in SC matrix are conducive to thermostability enhancement and the film of SC25 is determined for EO incorporation. The interactions between EOs and SC matrix are also hydrogen bonds and the double EOs@SC are smooth at ratio of ≤2:2 for α-T:Eu or CA:Eu. The ultimate film properties are dependent on the incorporated EOs. The release of EOs is well controlled by two mechanisms of diffusion (predominant) and swelling (secondary). Synergetic antibacterial activity occurs on double EOs@SC. The shelf life of pork can be extended by 1 day at 25 °C by the two typical films of α-T₂:Eu₂@SC and CA₂:Eu₂@SC. Moreover, EOs@SC can be well degraded in humus soil. Thereby, the target films will have great potential in active packaging to extend the shelf life of food.