Cellulose acetate/chitosan composite film loaded with ground cinnamon for active packaging: water vapor sorption kinetic, compounds release, and antimicrobial effect

This study evaluated structural, physical, and water sorption properties of cellulose acetate/chitosan composite film incorporated with ground cinnamon as an antimicrobial. The controlled release of antimicrobial compounds and antimicrobial effects on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were also monitored. The composite film formed highly porous and fibrous materials with higher thermal resistance. A higher ratio of chitosan in the film improved the swelling degree and water-vapor absorption capacity but reduced adsorption rates. Consequently, antimicrobial compounds, including eucalyptol, naphthalene, and β-caryophyllene, were more quickly released from the composite film with a larger chitosan ratio, affecting stronger antimicrobial effects. The inclusion of ground cinnamon with residual fat content in the film contributed to an extended inhibition of microbial growth in an indirect packaging system. Understanding the chitosan/cellulose acetate ratio in the film composite formation and the incorporation of ground cinnamon is important to control the compounds' release and generate long-term antimicrobial effects of active packaging materials on fresh food products.