Production and characterization of active antimicrobial packaging based on carrageenan, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and rosemary essential oil.

Antimicrobial active packaging is a type of packaging that can maintain and extend food quality. The objectives of this research were to produce and characterize the active antimicrobial packaging with variations of Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) (2, 2.5, and 3 gr) and carrageenan (0.5 and 1 gr), as well as the addition of rosemary extract essential oil as an antimicrobial. The tests carried out were thickness, tensile strength, resistance to water, moisture content, and antimicrobial testing. The research results show that the packaging film has a thickness value that exceeds the Japenese Industrial Standard (JIS) standard, namely 0.37-0.47 mm, and has excellent antimicrobial capabilities. The antimicrobial inhibition zone formed by the diffusion method is 24 mm (Escherichia coli) and 18.5 mm (Staphylococcus aureus). However, packaging films have low water content, tensile strength and water resistance. The results of the water content were 16-21%, the tensile strength test was 0.08-0.14 MPa and the water resistance was 0.88-1.32%. These results show that the CMC, carrageenan and rosemary extract essential oil can be used as a antimicrobial active packaging. The film thickness increased with the addition of CMC and carrageenan. CMC can increase the water absorption capacity and water content of the film, with the best results in this study were 2A1B (2 grams of CMC and 1 gram of carrageenan). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]