Development and Characterization of LDPE/EVA Films Incorporating Carvacrol Essential Oil with Antifungal Activity

Area of Science:

• Food Science and Technology
• Materials Science
• Polymer Science

Background:

• Food safety and shelf-life extension are critical global challenges.
• Antimicrobial and antioxidant packaging offers a promising solution to reduce food spoilage.
• Essential oil components like carvacrol and thymol possess significant bioactivity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and characterize novel bioactive films using LDPE and EVA.
• To incorporate organically modified montmorillonite (OMt) nanocarriers loaded with carvacrol (C) and thymol (T).
• To evaluate the mechanical, barrier, and antioxidant properties of the developed films.

Main Methods:

• Carvacrol and thymol were adsorbed onto OMt nanocarriers without organic solvents.
• LDPE, EVA, and OMt nanocarriers were melt-compounded to create films.
• Characterization included XRD, tensile testing, OTR, and antioxidant assays.

Main Results:

• Films exhibited enhanced mechanical strength and antioxidant activity (IC50: 0.32–0.52 mg/mL).
• Specific LDPE/EVA/OMtC films (80/10/10 ratio) showed improved barrier properties.
• These films significantly inhibited fungal growth on baguette bread for up to 60 days.

Conclusions:

• Bioactive LDPE/EVA films incorporating OMt nanocarriers loaded with carvacrol and thymol are effective.
• These materials enhance food safety and extend the shelf life of bakery products.
• The developed packaging demonstrates significant potential for the food industry.