Development of Antimicrobial Biopolymer Packaging Film Incorporated with Oregano Essential Oil Nanoemulsions

Advances in Food Science and Technology | Vol. 14, No. 4, April 2026 | pp. 001–006

ISSN: 6732-4215

Article Type: Original Research Paper

Title: Development of Antimicrobial Biopolymer Packaging Film Incorporated with Oregano Essential Oil Nanoemulsions

Names of Authors: Carlos Silva¹, Elena Rostova²

Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Department of Food Engineering, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil; ²Department of Biomaterials, Advanced Research Institute, Oslo, Norway

Abstract: Petroleum-based plastic films used for food storage raise environmental safety concerns, forcing researchers to seek green biodegradable packaging alternatives. This study details the development of an active antimicrobial biopolymer packaging film constructed from cassava starch matrices blended with chitosan elements. To improve functional protective traits, oregano essential oil (OEO) nanoemulsions were integrated into the biopolymer matrices at dynamic concentrations ranging from 0.5% to 2.0% volume fractions. The microstructural and mechanical attributes of the composite films were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy and standard tensile testing tools. Incorporating 1.5% OEO nanoemulsions reduced water vapor permeability by 34.2% while increasing tensile flexibility without tearing layers during mechanical handling tests. Microbial evaluation measurements proved that the active composite films successfully suppressed the proliferation of foodborne pathogen strains, including Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli, reducing colony formations by more than 3.5 log CFU/g over a 14-day tracking trial. This active biopolymer framework displays high potential to replace synthetic wrappers while extending shelf life limitations for fresh retail goods.

Keywords: Active Packaging, Biopolymers, Nanoemulsions, Oregano Essential Oil, Antimicrobial Film, Food Preservation

Manuscript Timeline: Received: November 20, 2025; Revised: January 15, 2026; Accepted: February 22, 2026; Published: April 10, 2026

Citation: Silva, C., & Rostova, E. (2026). Development of Antimicrobial Biopolymer Packaging Film Incorporated with Oregano Essential Oil Nanoemulsions. Advances in Food Science and Technology, 14(7), 001–006.

Subscribe to read the full article: https://www.internationalscholarsjournals.org/subscribe-to-read