Antioxidant and antimicrobial active paper based on Zataria (Zataria multiflora) and two cumin cultivars (Cuminum cyminum)

•Zataria and two cumins are evaluated as antimicrobial and antioxidant agents.•Individual compounds responsible for the properties in each essential oil (EOs) are analyzed.•Paper and board are made as active materials from these EOs.•Several procedures are used to evaluate the antioxidant properties.

The antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of Zataria multiflora and Iranian and European Cumin were evaluated, first as pure extracts and later as active agents incorporated in paper, manufactured at laboratory scale as an active packaging material. Two different procedures were used for quantifying the antioxidant properties and microbiological studies versus Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria innocua, Pseudomonas sp., Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica and Escherichia coli were carried out. All bacteria were inhibited when exposed to the atmosphere generated from 4% to 6% (w/w) of Zataria essential oil in the active coating. Zataria showed the best antioxidant properties. The compounds responsible for the antimicrobial and antioxidant properties are analyzed and discussed.