Study of Mechanical, Physical, Optical and Antioxidant Characteristics of β-Glucan Based Films Containing Extracts of Oak Trees

In recent years, studies have focused on biodegradable packaging films and increase of their antimicrobial ability. Therefore, this study was carried out to investigate usability of beta-glucan to produce antimicrobial films incorporated with extracts of oak trees.

In this study, physical, mechanical, optical and antioxidant characteristics of β-glucan based films incorporated by 1, 2 and 4% of oak tree extracts were investigated. Moreover, antimicrobial effects of the prepared films on four pathogens were studied.

Results showed that by addition of oak tree extracts, film thickness and water permeability rate significantly increased and decreased, respectively. Prepared films were more flexible, while their elongation in breaks significantly decreased. Film solubility decreased with increases in quantity of the added extracts. Addition of oak tree extracts increased redness and decreased lightness and yellowness parameters. Films incorporated with the extracts showed significant increases in antioxidant characteristics. Prepared films significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited the bacterial growth.

Oak tree extracts as natural antibacterial inhibitors include good potentials to incorporate into films of packaging to extend food shelf-life, in particular the oxygen sensible foods.