Empaques antimicrobianos biodegradables para alimentos

Abstract

Abstract: In recent years, interest has increased in developing packaging with materials that help reduce spoilage and extend the shelf life of food, while reducing environmental contamination. The objective of this research was to add extract of Guápala (Simira ecuadorensis), with antimicrobial activity, to biodegradable films made from starch-PVA. For this, the extract was first obtained to later evaluate its antimicrobial activity, against Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus luteus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans, determining a MIC of 2000 μg / ml for the first three microorganisms. Once the antimicrobial activity was evaluated, it was added in different proportions (1%, 1.5%, 2%) to the biodegradable films, the same ones that through preliminary tests it was determined that the adequate formulation for its formation is: 6.8 g of starch of cassava, 3.4 g of PVA, 1.26 g of glycerol and 88.54 ml of distilled water. Taking into account the evaluation of the antimicrobial activity, guápala extract is considered a weak inhibitor against Gram positive microorganisms.