Physical, Mechanical and Microbial Properties of Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC) Bioactive Film Containing Trachyspermum Ammi, Myrtus Communis Essential Oils and the Effects on Shelf Life of Turkey Meat

Antimicrobial packaging has a potential to prevent pathogenic microorganisms and also increases the shelf life of meat products. The aim of this study was to determine mechanical and physical properties of Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC) containing Trachyspermum ammi and Myrtus Communis essential oils (0.1, 0.3, 0.6 and 1%). Then antimicrobial packaging with optimum concentration of essential oil (0.6 and 1%) was selected to evaluate the effect of packaging on microbial and physical properties of turkey meat during storage at refrigerator. The results showed that tensile strength decreased and percentage of film elongation increased significantly. Water absorption, moisture content, solubility and water vapor permeability decreased when the concentration of the essential oils increased. Film prepared using Trachyspermum ammi essential oil had high antimicrobial activity compared with Myrtus Communis essential oil. Turky meat which packed using film containing 0.6% Trachyspermum ammi essential oil was more effective against total bacterial count than 1% essential oil. In contrast, the film containin 1% essential oil showed high antimicrobial activity against coliform and E.coli. Therefore, the film containing essential oil increased the shelf life of turkey meat, and application of 0.6% Trachyspermum ammi essential oil film as an effective treatment is recommended.