Physical and antimicrobial properties of starch and honey biodegradable films

Abstract

The objective of this work was to evaluate the physical and antimicrobial properties of biodegradable films (BF) of starch and honey (1.0% and 2.0%). The BF were elaborated by the casting technique, and a standard film was prepared for comparison purposes. The BF were evaluated for moisture, thickness, weight, water vapor permeability (WVP), water solubility and antimicrobial activity against strains of Escherichia coli, Salmonella Epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes. The result was expressed as mean ± standard deviation and the means compared by Tukey (p<0.05). The addition of honey to biodegradable starch films may lead to the reduction of film moisture while increasing the thickness, weight, water vapor permeability and solubility of the films. The addition of honey contributed to increase the mechanical strength of the films, with reduction of barrier properties. No effect of honey addition on the presence of antimicrobial activity of the biodegradable films against the studied microorganisms was observed