Development of a multilayer antimicrobial packaging material for tomato puree using an innovative technology

• An antimicrobial multilayer material has been developed using an easy procedure.
• The antimicrobial has been included into the adhesive that joins the different laminating materials.
• The most promising multilayer contains cinnamon essential oil as antimicrobial agent.
• Hydrocinnamaldehyde has been detected as degradation product of cinnamaldehyde.
• Tests on real food have been successfully performed.

In the present study, a new innovative procedure to incorporate an antimicrobial agent in a multilayer active material was used to prepare several antimicrobial packaging materials. For this purpose, the activity of six antimicrobial substances was evaluated and three of them were selected as active agents. Among the active materials prepared, those containing polyurethane adhesive free of isocyanates and different concentrations of cinnamon essential oil as active agent were the most effective. Therefore, these materials were studied in depth. Migration assays demonstrated that cinnamaldehyde was released from these active packaging materials to the food simulant. However, the degradation of cinnamaldehyde in the food simulant was also observed. Finally, the antimicrobial activity of the material was evaluated in tomato puree, obtaining high efficiency for Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Saccharomyces cereviase but not for Mucor mucedo.