Essential oils may provide good source of food preservation

A new study in the Journal of Food Science, published by the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), found that essential oils may be able to be used as food preservatives in packaging to help extend the shelf-life of food products.

Essential oils are aromatic oily liquids extracted from different parts of plants (roots, peels, leaves, seeds, fruits, barks) and have been shown to be a good source of antioxidative and antimicrobial properties.  Essential oils act as antioxidants in several different ways, such as free radical scavengers, termination of peroxides, prevent (spoiling), and more.

Essential oil incorporation into packaging may improve water vapor barrier properties of protein-based films, increase the strength of the film and resistance to stretching, decrease transparency, and help prevent by interacting with the films other properties.

More information: Tongnuanchan, P. and Benjakul, S. (2014), "Essential Oils: Extraction, Bioactivities, and Their Uses for Food Preservation." Journal of Food Science, 79: R1231–R1249. DOI: 10.1111/1750-3841.12492

Journal information: Journal of Food Science

Citation: Essential oils may provide good source of food preservation (2014, July 21) retrieved 19 March 2024 from https://phys.org/news/2014-07-essential-oils-good-source-food.html
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