Evaluation of in vitro Antioxidant Characteristics of Corn Starch Bioactive Films Impregnated with Bunium persicum and Zataria multiflora Essential Oils

Autoxidation is considered as one of the main factors responsible for deterioration which occurs during manufacturing, storage, distribution and final preparation of foods. Changes caused by lipid oxidation not only resulting to off-flavor, but also resulting to loss of color, decrease product’s shelf life, nutritional loss and human diseases. Nowadays, edible films and coatings have attracted the considerable attention due to their potential to enhance food quality, food safety and their function as carrier for wide range of food additives specially antioxidants. In this study, the range of 1 to 20 mg/ml concentrations from Zataria multiflora essential oil (ZMEO) and Bunium persicum essential oil (BPEO) incorporated in to corn starch film were used. Antioxidant activity of the bioactive films were determined by 2,2- diphenyl-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethyl benzo thiazoline-6-sulphonic acid, ABTS) and total phenolic content assays. Results showed that the films incorporated with EOs had better antioxidant properties compared with control group and this effect was significantly improved with increasing EOs concentration (P < 0.05). These finding pointed out that incorporation of ZMEO and BPEO as natural antioxidant agents into corn starch film could be considered as a potential factors for using in active packaging.