title: Bioactive packaging using antioxidant extracts for the prevention of microbial food-spoilage.
abstract: Bioactive food packaging is an innovative approach for the prevention of the growth of food-spoilage microorganisms. Four active extracts from agroindustrial subproducts (Eucalyptus wood, almond shells, corn cobs and grape pomace) with demonstrated antioxidant activity have been investigated for bestowing antimicrobial activity to bioactive packaging. To carry out this evaluation, the antioxidant extracts were tested against five food pathogenic bacteria, namely, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella spp. The results obtained showed that all the tested extracts inhibited the growth of all five pathogenic bacteria. From the analysis of the minimal bactericidal concentrations (MBCs), the Eucalyptus wood extract was the most active, being necessary only 2% (v/v) to inhibit Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Listeria monocytogenes, and Staphylococcus aureus, whereas almond shells extract were less active requiring 4% (w/v) to inhibit the growth of Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the extract from corn cobs was bactericidal against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus at a concentration of 4% (w/v). After checking their antimicrobial activity, the antioxidant extracts have been incorporated into sodium alginate films and the maintenance of their antimicrobial properties was confirmed. This work showed that the antioxidant extracts from agroindustrial byproducts exhibited antimicrobial activity and were suitable for incorporation into edible films that could be used in bioactive packaging systems.
authors.affiliation: CBQF - Centro de Biotecnologia e Química Fina - Laboratório Associado, Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Portuguesa/Porto, Rua Arquiteto Lobão Vital, Apartado 2511, 4202-401 Porto, Portugal. patricia.gullon@ehu.es.
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Moreira
authors.affiliation: CBQF - Centro de Biotecnologia e Química Fina - Laboratório Associado, Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Portuguesa/Porto, Rua Arquiteto Lobão Vital, Apartado 2511, 4202-401 Porto, Portugal. patricia.gullon@ehu.es.
authors.forename: Beatriz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gullón
authors.affiliation: CBQF - Centro de Biotecnologia e Química Fina - Laboratório Associado, Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Portuguesa/Porto, Rua Arquiteto Lobão Vital, Apartado 2511, 4202-401 Porto, Portugal. patricia.gullon@ehu.es.
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gullón
authors.affiliation: CBQF - Centro de Biotecnologia e Química Fina - Laboratório Associado, Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Portuguesa/Porto, Rua Arquiteto Lobão Vital, Apartado 2511, 4202-401 Porto, Portugal. patricia.gullon@ehu.es.
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gomes
authors.affiliation: CBQF - Centro de Biotecnologia e Química Fina - Laboratório Associado, Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Portuguesa/Porto, Rua Arquiteto Lobão Vital, Apartado 2511, 4202-401 Porto, Portugal. patricia.gullon@ehu.es.
authors.forename: Freni
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tavaria
mesh_terms: D000464:Alginates / Q000737:chemistry; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects; D005052:Eucalyptus / Q000737:chemistry; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005506:Food Contamination; D005516:Food Microbiology; D018857:Food Packaging; D005517:Foodborne Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D020723:Glucuronic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D006603:Hexuronic Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D008089:Listeria monocytogenes / Q000187:drug effects; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D000068181:Prunus dulcis / Q000737:chemistry; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000187:drug effects; D012475:Salmonella / Q000187:drug effects; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects; D027843:Vitis / Q000737:chemistry; D003313:Zea mays / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000464:Alginates; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D006603:Hexuronic Acids; D020723:Glucuronic Acid