Antimicrobial, microscopic and spectroscopic properties of cellulose paper coated with chitosan sol-gel solution formulated by epsilon-poly-l-lysine and its application in active food packaging

Cellulose paper-chitosan (CC) double-layer films containing epsilon-poly-l-lysine (e-PL) (0.5 and 1% w/v) were developed. FTIR analysis showed a strong association between the e-PL and CC film. Antimicrobial activity against Listeria monocytogenes was investigated both in vitro and in the chicken breast meat. The CC films without e-PL showed no antimicrobial activity, while the addition of e-PL induced significant (p 0.05). This study revealed an antimicrobial activity for CC films impregnated with e-PL, to control foodborne pathogens in meat.