The influence of cinnamon and litsea cubeba essential oils on methylcellulose films

The aim of this study was to prepare active, biodegradable methylcellulose films and evaluate their properties after incorporating cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia) and litsea cubeba (Litsea cubeba) essential oils. The properties of the methylcellulose films were modified with the addition of essential oils. The surfaces were smooth and homogeneous in all samples. The film with cinnamon oil showed higher antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli and the film with litsea cubeba showed higher antioxidant activity against ABTS radical. The biodegradation time of the films in black sand and beach soil was 20 days. The films produced that presented the highest potential to become active packaging were the film with litsea cubabe oil as antioxidant packaging and the film with cinnamon oil as antibacterial packaging.

Automated summary

This study aimed to prepare active and biodegradable methylcellulose films and assess their properties after incorporating cinnamon and litsea cubeba essential oils. The addition of essential oils modified the properties of the methylcellulose films, resulting in smooth and homogeneous surfaces. The film with cinnamon oil demonstrated higher antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, while the film with litsea cubeba oil showed higher antioxidant activity against ABTS radical. Both films biodegraded within 20 days in black sand and beach soil. The film with litsea cubeba oil as an antioxidant packaging and the film with cinnamon oil as an antibacterial packaging displayed the highest potential as active packaging.