effect of pomegranate peel extract on the antibacterial and mechanicalproperties of sodium caseinate film

throughout the present, caseinate based edible films containing extracts of pomegranate peel were prepared in 3 levels of ×1, ×1.5 and ×2 (mic) and the physicomechanical, thermal, antimicrobial, and barrier properties of the films studied. to assess the microstructure changes resulting from the addition of the antimicrobial extracts, sem images were prepared from the surface and cross-section of the films. addition of the extract at concentrations up to ×2 mic increased the values for thickness and solubility from 0.054mm and 92.18% to 0.061mm and 95.37% respectively, and caused the films to become opaque. also, addition of pomegranate peel extract significantly increased the wvp (upto 3.90×10-9 g/s.m.pa) of the prepared films, but lowered the mechanical properties. to evaluate the antimicrobial property of the prepared films’ disc diffusion method was applied and the diameter of the formed halo measured. antimicrobial properties of edible films were tested against two strains of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. films were more responsive against gram-positive bacteria than against gram-negative ones.