Antibacterial cellulose papers loaded with different isolated active compounds for food packaging applications

The growing trend in biodegradable and renewable materials has generated a demand for new food packaging applications. This study aimed to produce active cellulose-based papers incorporated with two different essential oil isolated active compounds, eugenol, and linalool, to promote the inhibition of pathogenic bacteria's growth. Cellulose was extracted from eucalyptus sawdust by receiving chemical and mechanical treatment and incorporating the active compounds by microwave. FTIR, SEM, TGA, DSC, and antibacterial activity against E. coli, Salmonella, S. aureus, and L. monocytogenes characterized active papers prepared by casting. Cellulose–eugenol papers showed chemical interactions by hydrogen bonding, in concern to linalool paper bands, identified by FTIR results. Highlighting that after the active compound's addition, the hydrogen energy bond values decreased from 22.5 to 22.3 kJ mol−1, confirming the cellulose fibers' swelling with the oils, which slightly amorphized the papers. The active compounds changed the paper's morphology, increasing porosity and roughness, as seen in the SEM images. Besides, TGA indicated that the active compounds increased the papers' thermal resistance. The active papers exhibited excellent antimicrobial activity against all the microorganisms; the cellulose–eugenol papers demonstrated a more significant antibacterial effect (24 mm), with a larger inhibition zone than linalool paper (12 mm). These results revealed that cellulose-based papers containing eugenol or linalool have good potential to prepare antimicrobial edible papers or coatings for various types of food packaging applications.