Simulating release model and antimicrobial efficiency of LDPE film carrying ferula asafetida leaf and gum extracts

The development of antimicrobial LDPE films containing ferula hydroalcoholic leaf and gum extracts was investigated. At the end of the 10th day, the highest rate of the released flavonoid compounds was related to the films containing 5% leaf extracts (PE-Leaf-5, 3663.71 µg/g) for 95% ethanol simulation at 60 °C. The carvacrol acetate and β-Elemene in the 95% ethanol simulation containing PE-Leaf and α-bisabolol in the simulation including a film containing gum extract (PE-Gum) were not found. The highest effect of the antimicrobial property was related to the PE-Leaf films, but the highest rate of release of the compounds was related to the PE-Gum films. At the end of day 14th, the growth rate of Aspergillus niger in the presence of the PE-Leaf-5 and PE-Gum-5 films was reduced 3.23 and 3.72 logarithmic cycles, respectively. At the end of day 10th at 4oC, the total fungi count has reduced 0.89 and 0.85 logarithmic cycles in the dough samples packed with PE-Leaf and PE-Gum films, respectively while after 6 days preservation at 25°C, they reduced 1.51 and 1.68 logarithmic cycles, respectively. It seems the development of antimicrobial films containing ferula bioactive compounds can be effective in prolonging the shelf life of the foods.