Characterization of physical, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of biodegradable soluble soybean polysaccharide films containing Satureja hortensis essential oil

In this study, biodegradable soluble soybean polysaccharide based films containing Satureja hortensis essential oil at concentrations of 0%, 1%, 2% and 3% (v/v) were developed to examine their physical, mechanical, total phenol, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. At the level of 3% of essential oil, soluble soybean polysaccharide films showed the lowest water solubility (47.26%), tensile strength values (9.43 MPa) and water vapor permeability (1.60 g/m.s.Pa × 10-10) and the highest values for thickness (0.089 mm) and strain-to-break (35.40%). Antioxidant and antibacterial characteristics significantly increased by the inclusion of essential oil. Our observation showed that essential oil containing films at a level of 3% had the highest antioxidant activity (73.31%). The films exhibited highest inhibition against gram positive bacteria than gram negative bacteria. The results of the present work showed that Satureja hortensis essential oil as a natural antibacterial and antioxidant agent has the great potential to make biodegradable films.