Antimicrobial Activity against Cronobacter of Plant Extracts and Essential Oils in a Matrix of Bacterial Cellulose

Lidia Stasiak-Różańska ¹, Anna Berthold-Pluta ¹, Tamara Aleksandrzak-Piekarczyk ²

⁰Department of Food Technology and Assessment, Institute of Food Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, Nowoursynowska St. 166, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland.

Polymers +

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August 29, 2024

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

Bacterial cellulose (BC) matrices show promise for antimicrobial applications. BC combined with brahmi extract or thyme essential oil effectively inhibited bacterial growth, suggesting use in eco-friendly packaging.

Area Of Science

Biomaterials Science
Microbiology
Food Science

Background

Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a biodegradable polymer with diverse industrial and medical applications.
Natural compounds like plant extracts and essential oils possess antimicrobial properties.
There is a growing demand for active and environmentally friendly packaging materials.

Purpose Of The Study

To evaluate the antimicrobial properties of bacterial cellulose (BC) composites.
To assess the efficacy of BC combined with various plant extracts and essential oils against Cronobacter species.
To determine the potential of these BC-based biomaterials as active food packaging.

Main Methods

Bacterial cellulose (BC) was produced using Gluconacetobacter hansenii ATCC 23769.
BC was impregnated with plant extracts (tulsi, brahmi, lemon, blackberry, nettle) and essential oils (cinnamon, sage, clove, mint, thyme, lemongrass, rosemary, lemon, anise, tea tree, lime, grapefruit, tangerine).
Antimicrobial activity was tested against five Cronobacter species and two ATCC reference strains; BC water activity and compound absorption were also analyzed.

Main Results

BC combined with a 50% brahmi extract demonstrated significant inhibition of Cronobacter growth.
BC soaked with thyme essential oil exhibited the strongest antimicrobial activity among the tested essential oils.
Other plant extracts did not show significant antimicrobial effects against the tested strains.

Conclusions

Bacterial cellulose can serve as an effective matrix for natural antimicrobial agents.
BC-brahmi extract and BC-thyme essential oil composites show potential for controlling bacterial contamination.
These findings support the development of BC-based active and sustainable packaging materials.

Keywords:

Cronobacter active packaging antimicrobial activity bacterial cellulose essential oil plant extract