Chitosan films incorporated with Apricot (Prunus armeniaca) kernel essential oil as active food packaging material

Apricot kernel essential oil (AKEO) was extracted from kernels of bitter apricot which is considered to be a major agricultural seed waste. The chemical composition of AKEO revealed that oleic acid is the major fatty acid present in AKEO. Also, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), which is a strong antioxidant and antimicrobial agent, is present in a significant quantity. Chitosan films incorporated with AKEO in different concentrations were prepared using solvent casting method and were used for active food packaging application for the very first time. Its successful incorporation in the film was confirmed by Fourier Transform-Infra Red (FT-IR) spectra and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FE-SEM) images. The modified films show an improved water resistance and 41% enhanced water vapor barrier property when CS to AKEO ratio is 1:1. The elongation percentage value increased significantly for the film with oil ratio 0.125 with respect to CS, but thereafter a sharp decrement is observed. However, a continuous increment in tensile strength value was observed with increasing AKEO concentration and a substantial 94% enhancement was observed for the film with AKEO ratio equal to that of CS. The films also show excellent antimicrobial and antioxidant properties as compared to neat chitosan films and successfully inhibited the fungal growth on packaged bread slices.