New Findings in Veterinary Microbiology

New Findings in Veterinary Microbiology

Evaluation of the Antimicrobial Effect of Gelatin–Carboxymethyl Cellulose Film Containing Silver Nanoparticles and Echinophora sibthorpiana Essential Oil Against Foodborne Bacteria

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Azam Haghjoo 1
Afshin Akhoondzadeh Basti 2
Zhaleh Khoshkhoo 3
Ali Khanjari 4
Marjaneh Sedaghati 5
1 PhD Candidate, Department of Food Science and Technology, NT.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
2 Professor, Department of Food Hygiene and Quality Control, Faculty of Veterinary medicine,Tehran University,Tehran,Iran
3 Associate Professor, Department of Food Science and Technology, NT.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
4 Associate Professor, Department of Food Hygiene and Quality Control, Faculty of Veterinary medicine,Tehran University,Tehran,Iran
5 Assistant Professor, Department of Food Science and Technology, NT.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
10.22034/nfvm.2026.584390.1314
Abstract
Microbial contamination of foods is one of the major public health challenges worldwide, and the development of bioactive packaging systems capable of inhibiting microbial growth has attracted considerable attention. This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of gelatin–carboxymethyl cellulose films incorporated with silver nanoparticles and Echinophora sibthorpiana essential oil against selected foodborne pathogenic bacteria.
The essential oil was extracted by hydrodistillation using a clevenger apparatus, and its chemical composition was characterized by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Silver nanoparticles were synthesized through a green synthesis approach. gelatin–carboxymethyl cellulose films containing silver nanoparticles (0.015%) and Echinophora sibthorpiana essential oil at concentrations of 0.3% and 0.6% were prepared using the solvent-casting method. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella Typhimurium using the disk diffusion assay.
The major constituents of the essential oil were Ocimene (26.98%), 2,3-Dimethyl-cyclohexa-1,3-diene (8.48%), and α-Pinene (7.99%). The gelatin–carboxymethyl cellulose film without active additives exhibited no antimicrobial activity. However, incorporation of silver nanoparticles significantly enhanced the antimicrobial properties of the films. Furthermore, increasing the concentration of Echinophora sibthorpiana essential oil from 0.3% to 0.6% resulted in a significant increase in the inhibition zone diameter against all tested microorganisms. The strongest antimicrobial activity was observed for films containing silver nanoparticles and 0.6% essential oil.
The results demonstrated that silver nanoparticles and Echinophora sibthorpiana essential oil enhanced the antimicrobial activity of gelatin–carboxymethyl cellulose films. These bioactive films could serve as a promising alternative for active food packaging applications and for improving antimicrobial properties.
Keywords
Antimicrobial activity
Carboxymethyl cellulose
Echinophora sibthorpiana
Gelatin
Silver nanoparticles
Subjects
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New Findings in Veterinary Microbiology
Volume 9, Issue 1
Spring 2026
Pages 89-99

  • Receive Date 01 June 2026
  • Revise Date 11 June 2026
  • Accept Date 12 June 2026