Study on Physicomechanical Properties of Polylactic Acid Film Incorporatedwith Ziziphora ClinopodioidesEssential Oil, Propolis Ethanolic Extract and Cellulose Nanoparticle

In the recent years, numerous studies have been focused on the production and applicationof biodegradable polymers due to increasing concernsaboutenvironmental pollution ofplastic packaging materials, and also increasing consumer’s interest for improvement of quality and appearance of food products. The aims of the present study wereto evaluate the physicomechanical properties of polylactic acid film(PLA) incorporated with propolis ethanolic extractcollected from Kermanshah province(PE; 1 and 2%), cellulose nanoparticle (1%) and Ziziphora clinopodioidesessential oil.The chemical compositions of the Ziziphora clinopodioidesessential oil were identified by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometer detector (GC-MS). The physicomechanical properties of designated films were evaluated using ASTM method.Carvacrol (65.22%), thymol (19.51%), ɣ-terpinene (4.63%) and p-cymene (4.86%) were the most representative components of the essential oil. Based on the results of the present study, incorporation of PE, ZEO and cellulose nanoparticle improved the water vapour permeability coefficient (WVPC) and tensile stressof investigated films. The lower lightness (L*) and higher redness (a*) and consequently a darker color was found in the film incorporated with PPE. The PLA film incorporated with ZEO, PPE and cellulose nanoparticle have shown good physical and mechanical properties which can be used in food products.