Antimicrobial active packaging paper based on dill weed essential oil

Abstract

Antimicrobial active packaging based on dill weed essential oil (DWEO) was investigated. Three types of packaging paper (100% bleached pulp 40 g/m2, 100% unbleached pulp 40 g/m2, and 100% recycled paper weighing 70 g/m2) were analysed. The antimicrobial activity was tested against the Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538 and Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633; the Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli ATCC 8739, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 9027 and Salmonella abony NTCC 6017; the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae ATCC 2601 and Candida albicans ATCC 10231; and the fungal strain Aspergillus brasiliensis ATCC 16404. The activity of the bleached paper treated with DWEO against moulds (Aspergillus brasiliensis) and yeasts (Candida albicans) during the five-day study period decreased from 100 to 47%, against Gram-positive bacreria (Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis) decreased from 100 to 69%, and against Gram-negative bacteria (Salmonella abony and Escherichia coli) decreased from 76 to 12%. Unbleached paper, treated with DWEO, had stronger antimicrobial potential against Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis), compared to other test microorganisms. Recycled paper treated with DWEO showed fungicidal activity.