Physical and Mechanical Properties of Antimicrobial Film Form Lemongrass Oil Incorporated with Chitosan/Ascorbic Acid

Abstract

Studies on the physical and mechanical properties of antimicrobial film from lemongrass oil incorporated with chitosan/ascorbic acid have been done to obtain an alternative biodegradable antimicrobial packaging. The objective of this research is to investigate changes in physical and mechanical properties of lemongrass oil/chi-tosan/ascorbic acid compared with chitosan/ascorbic acid. The concentration of lemongrass oil in chitosan/ascorbic film was 10%. Moisture content, water solubility, and opacity were used to evaluate physical properties. The interaction between chitosan and lemongrass oil was evaluated using Fourier Transform-Infra Red (FTIR). While water barrier properties were investigated by water vapor transmission rate (WVTR), and mechanical properties were evaluated by tensile strength (TS) and elongation (E). Incorporating lemongrass oil in chitosan/ascorbic acid decreased moisture content (15,81 % to 12,62%.) and water solubility (24,58 % to 20,41 %) but increased the opacity. The FTIR spectra showed that there is a change in intensity in some bands due to the addition of lemongrass oil. Incorporation of lemongrass oil in chitosan/ascorbic acid film showed good barrier properties, decreased the tensile strength (299 kgf/cm 2 to 151 kgf/cm 2) but increased in elongation (1,39% to 2,13%). The antimicrobial film from lemongrass oil incorporated with chitosan/ascorbic acid showed potential to be used as packaging in food.