The influence of cinnamon and litsea cubeba essential oils on methylcellulose films

Abstract The aim of this study was to prepare active, biodegradable methylcellulose films and evaluate their properties after incorporating cinnamon ( Cinnamomum cassia ) and litsea cubeba ( Litsea cubeba ) essential oils. The properties of the methylcellulose films were modified with the addition of essential oils. The surfaces were smooth and homogeneous in all samples. The film with cinnamon oil showed higher antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli and the film with litsea cubeba showed higher antioxidant activity against ABTS radical. The biodegradation time of the films in black sand and beach soil was 20 days. The films produced that presented the highest potential to become active packaging were the film with litsea cubabe oil as antioxidant packaging and the film with cinnamon oil as antibacterial packaging.