Active polyethylene films incorporated with β-cyclodextrin/ferula asafoetida extract inclusion complexes: Sustained release of bioactive agents

In this work polyethylene (PE) films with antimicrobial ferula asafoetida leaf and gum extract/beta-cyclodextrin (BCD) inclusion complexes were developed to have controlled release of active compounds. The active complexes were extruded with PE polymer granules and converted into a film by blowing. Results revealed that the properties of films were predominantly affected by the extract and the presence of BCD in some cases improved their properties. The results showed that the tensile strength and oxygen permeability in films incorporated with gum extract/BCD inclusion complexes (Gum-BCD) were 1.3 and 1.8 times higher, respectively than the films incorporated with leaf extract/BCD inclusion complexes (Leaf-BCD), while the Delta E, water vapor transfer rate and melting point in them were 17.7, 1.2 and 0.95 times, respectively less than Leaf-BCD films. Inclusion of bioactive compounds in BCD was associated with sustained release of the compounds, and even some compounds such as galbanic acid and kamolonol were not found in the simulant during the study period. After 21 days, the growth of Aspergillus niger and Saccharomyces cerevisiae were reduced by more than 2 logarithmic cycles in Leaf-BCD and Gum-BCD films.

Automated summary

In this study, PE films with antimicrobial ferula asafoetida leaf and gum extract/beta-cyclodextrin (BCD) inclusion complexes were developed to achieve controlled release of active compounds. The films incorporated with gum extract/BCD inclusion complexes (Gum-BCD) showed better properties compared to films with leaf extract/BCD inclusion complexes (Leaf-BCD). Inclusion of bioactive compounds in BCD resulted in sustained release of compounds and prevented the release of certain compounds in simulant.