Antimicrobial efficacy of clove essential oil infused into chemically modified LLDPE film for chicken meat packaging

Linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) is one of the most commercially successful packaging materials; however, to be used for active packaging purpose functionality must be crafted. In this work, LLDPE surface was chemically modified by chromic acid (CA) treatment and coated with clove essential oil (CLO); afterwards, the films were tested for antimicrobial properties. The optical, mechanical, barrier, thermal, and morphological properties of the films were characterized. FTIR spectroscopy confirmed the infusion of CLO in the film, and coating of CLO influenced the yellow color value of the films. The tensile stress and elongation at break of acid-treated and CLO coated films differed significantly from the control sample. CLO coating improved the UV-barrier property of LLDPE film. The melting point, T-m of the composite films dropped significantly from 122 to 117 degrees C when CLO was coated on the etched film surfaces. The morphology of the LLDPE/CA films exhibited pitting and roughness of the surface. LLDPE/CA/CLO films exhibited strong antimicrobial activity against Salmonella Typhimurium and Listeria monocytogenes in a packed chicken sample for 21 days of refrigerated storage. Thus, the developed film could be used as active packaging for fresh chicken. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.