Development of bioactive composite films from chitosan and carboxymethyl cellulose using glutaraldehyde, cinnamon essential oil and oleic acid.

In the present research the effect of incorporating cinnamon essential oil (CEO), oleic acid (OA) and glutaraldehyde (GL) on antimicrobial, antioxidant, mechanical, physical and morphological properties of chitosan-carboxymethyl cellulose composite films were investigated. Cross-linking effect of GL (as determined by FTIR analysis) significantly resulted in higher mechanical strength and lower water vapor permeability (WVP). Cross-linked films incorporated with CEO revealed higher and steady state antioxidant activity as well as in vitro antimicrobial properties against Listeria monocytogenes and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.