A Novel High Water-Soluble Antibacterial Films-Based Guar Gum Incorporated with Aloe Vera Gel and Ε-Polylysine

Abstract

The high water-soluble film is commonly used in food coating and food encapsulation. In this study, the effect of Aloe vera gel (AV) and ε-polylysine (ε-PL) on the comprehensive properties of films based on guar gum (GG) were investigated. When GG to AV was 8:2, GG/AV/ε-PL composite films (water solubility=68.50%) had an 82.42% higher water solubility than pure guar gum (PGG) films (water solubility=37.55%). Compared with PGG films, the composite films more transparent, better thermal stability and elongation at break. X-ray diffraction and SEM analysis showed the composite films were amorphous structures and the addition of AV and ε-PL didn’t change the structure of PGG. FITR analysis confirmed the formation of hydrogen bonds within the composite films. Antibacterial properties showed the composite films had a good antibacterial effect against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Therefore, the composite films can be a new option of high water-soluble antibacterial food packaging materials.

Keywords: Guar gum, Aloe vera gel, antibacterial activity, biodegradable films, Food packaging