title: Antimicrobial activity of biodegradable polysaccharide and protein-based films containing active agents.
abstract: Significant interest has emerged in the introduction of food packaging materials manufactured from biodegradable polymers that have the potential to reduce the environmental impacts associated with conventional packaging materials. Current technologies in active packaging enable effective antimicrobial (AM) packaging films to be prepared from biodegradable materials that have been modified and/or blended with different compatible materials and/or plasticisers. A wide range of AM films prepared from modified biodegradable materials have the potential to be used for packaging of various food products. This review examines biodegradable polymers derived from polysaccharides and protein-based materials for their potential use in packaging systems designed for the protection of food products from microbial contamination. A comprehensive table that systematically analyses and categorizes much of the current literature in this area is included in the review.
authors.affiliation: School of Engineering and Science, Victoria University, PO Box 14428, Melbourne, 8001, Australia.
authors.forename: Kuorwel K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Kuorwel
authors.forename: Marlene J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Cran
authors.forename: Kees
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sonneveld
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Miltz
authors.forename: Stephen W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Bigger
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D018857:Food Packaging; D005658:Fungi / Q000187:drug effects; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D011108:Polymers; D011134:Polysaccharides; D011506:Proteins