Non-traditional approach to the decontamination of food package

Antimicrobial packaging materials capable to increase the period of delay of growth beginning and decrease microorganisms growth rate can be used to extend storage life and maintain food products quality and safety. It was interesting to compare the efficiency of the traditional disinfecting materials impact on the package and the efficiency of the antimicrobial agents included in the composition of the active package. We have developed a range of packing materials and consumer containers modified by the natural antimicrobial additive - the elm extract. It can be found in the upper layer of birch crust and corresponds to the sum of natural compounds in which the principle acting substance is betulin (betulinol C36H60O3) present in the amount not less than 70%. Microbiological investigations confirmed high level of bactericidal efficiency of the polymer containers surface modified by the natural antimicrobial components that can provide microbial purity at the contact with food products and can make certain alternative to the traditional decontamination methods.

polymer materials, disinfection, antimicrobial additive, bactericidal effect