Application of essential oil ofPistacia atlanticaGum, polypropylene and silica nanoparticles as a new milk packaging

The aim of current study was to investigate the antimicrobial effect of gum essential oil ofPistacia atlantica(wild pistachio) tree (GEO) and design a new film based on polypropylene polymer coated with silica nanoparticles and GEO. The antimicrobial activity of the packaging film was evaluated with or without milk onStaphylococcus aureus,Salmonella enterica,Escherichia coli, andListeria monocytogenesduring 35 days. The results showed that GEO has significant antibacterial properties. It was most effective onSalmonella enterica, while its effect onListeria monocytogeneswas the weakest. Antimicrobial activity of the film without milk showed no significant differences among the different sizes of nanoparticles used (0.05, 0.025, and 0.051 g) (p >= .05). It can be concluded that polypropylene incorporated with GEO and silica nanoparticles active film had antimicrobial properties up to 35 days, while using with milk or without milk. Therefore, this type of packaging is effective to enhance the shelf life of milk.