ABSTRACT
Essential Oils (EOs) have an array of beneficial properties and have been used by humans since ancient times for their healing properties. EOs, also known as volatile oils, possess a range of biological activities as well as antimicrobial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties. Other properties of EOs that have been documented include anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic, antiseptic, and antibiofilm properties. Edible active film/coating systems are typically produced using edible biopolymers. These biopolymers are derived from numerous natural plant or animal sources, including lipids, proteins, and polysaccharides. Like dipping, spraying coats food samples with a semipermeable membrane. This method uses nozzles to spray coating solutions onto foodstuffs in the form of droplets. Most of the proteins used in coating and film applications are globular and denatured prior to use. The bonding nature of proteins makes these coating highly effective at decreasing the oxygen transmission rate, regardless of relative humidity.
