Stability of antimicrobial, antioxidant, and functional properties of pectin-based film incorporated with Thymus capitatus and Cinnamomum verum essential oils

Biopolymer-based films present numerous environmental advantages. The current study aims to investigate the impact of storage time on the antimicrobial, antioxidant, and functional properties of pectin-based films containing Thymus capitatus (TEO) and Cinnamomum verum (CEO) essential oils (EOs). Films were prepared using the solution casting method; their different properties were evaluated over 1 month at room temperature. Both types of films displayed strong antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes), Escherichia coli (E. coli), and Salmonella typhimurium (S. typhimurium). Pectin-based film incorporated with CEO displayed greater antioxidant activity than film incorporated with TEO. The two EOS increased the films' elongation at break and tensile strength. However, their moisture content and thickness decreased. The antibacterial and antioxidant activities of the CEO- and TEO-based films decreased after 4 weeks of storage, while moisture content increased. However, the films' mechanical parameters remained stable during the entire storage period.