title: Active films based on cocoa extract with antioxidant, antimicrobial and biological applications.
abstract: Novel films of ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) containing flavonoid-rich cocoa were developed. To understand their potential application as active packaging material, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of the films were determined as well as the antioxidant activity of the release compounds in Caco-2 human epithelial colorectal adenocarcinoma cells. Exposure of the films to aqueous food simulant showed antioxidant capacity. The release of cocoa extract components was dependent on the antioxidant concentration incorporated in the film and on temperature. Cocoa extract and the fraction obtained after in vitro gastrointestinal digestion presented antioxidant activity against oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide in Caco-2 cells. Films with 10%, 15%, and 20% cocoa extract produced bactericidal effect against Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica. The application of films to an infant milk formula, previously inoculated with L. monocytogenes, inhibited the growth of bacteria 1.5 log units the first day and showed sustained release, inhibiting 0.52 and 0.76 log units, respectively, by the sixth day, while cocoa powder added directly did not produce any effect.
authors.affiliation: Contamination Lab, Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology, IATA-CSIC, Av. Agustín Escardino 7, 46980 Paterna, Spain.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Calatayud
authors.forename: Carolina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: López-de-Dicastillo
authors.forename: Gracia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: López-Carballo
authors.forename: Dinoraz
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vélez
authors.forename: Pilar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hernández Muñoz
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gavara
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002099:Cacao / Q000737:chemistry*; D018938:Caco-2 Cells; D018857:Food Packaging / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D008089:Listeria monocytogenes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019779:Salmonella enterica / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D010936:Plant Extracts