The use of chitosan in antimicrobial films for food protection.
2010
Fernandez-Saiz, P. | Ocio, M. J. | Lagaron, J. M.
Despite the large number of publications related to chitosan and its derivates, there is still a great controversy regarding the phenomenology and mechanisms of the biocide properties of this natural component. This review aims at highlighting the antimicrobial activity of chitosan for its optimal application as an active packaging material to maintain the microbial safety of a food product. For this purpose, the mechanisms involved and the factors affecting the biocide properties of chitosan and chitosan-based films are summarized. Also, the behaviour of chitosan when incorporated in a more water-resistant polymer matrix or when evaluated on a real food system is outlined. A clear understanding of all these features constitutes a previous crucial step for an optimum design of active antimicrobial food packaging structures based on the use of this biopolymer as an internal coating of the packaging material or as a food coating in itself for moistured foods.
显示更多 [+] 显示较少 [-]