23 JCHR (2021) 11(1), 23-29 Journal of Chemical Health Risks www.jchr.org ORIGINAL ARTICLE Fabrication of Cassava Starch/Mentha piperita Essential Oil Biodegradable Film with Enhanced Antibacterial Properties Mohammad Mehdi Marvizadeh *1 , Arash Tajik 2 , Vajihesadat Moosavian *3 , Nazila Oladzadabbasabadi 4 ; Abdorreza Mohammadi Nafchi 4 1 Young Researchers and Elite Club, Damghan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Damghan, Semnan, Iran 2 Kazan Federal University, 18 Kremlevskaya str., Kazan 420008, Russian Federation 3 Food Biopolymer Research Group, Food Science and Technology Department, Damghan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Damghan, Semanan, Iran 4 Food Biopolymer Research Group, Food Technology Division, School of Industrial Technology,University Sains Malaysia, 11800 Minden, Penang, Malaysia (Received: 22 May 2020 Accepted: 22 August 2020) KEYWORDS Active film; Antimicrobial Activity; Food packaging; Water vapor permeability ABSTRACT: In this study, an edible film is prepared using Mentha piperita essential oil (MPEO) plasticized by sorbitol and glycerol in cassava starch matrix by the solution intercalation process. The effects of MPEO addition on the color, and antimicrobial activity (Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli), as well as the barrier properties of active films were investigated. MPEO was incorporated into cassava starch biodegradable films at different level (1- 3%, w/w). A low level of MPEO can obviously increased the water vapor permeability (WVP) of cassava starch/MPEO films. When the MPEO contents varied from 0-3% w/w, the lightness (L  value) decreased from 95.63 to 89.17 while the a* value increased from 0.15 to 0.82. The cassava film showed antimicrobial properties against S. aureus and E.coli by using agar diffusion method. These findings showed that Mentha piperita essential oil has a good potential to be added to cassava to make antimicrobial coating or film for food and non-food packaging. INTRODUCTION In novel science, plastics have become one of the most widely used substances in different technologies. Plastic applications are important components in automobiles, home appliances, computer equipments, medical uses and packages [1]. In the UK, approximately 4.7 million tons of plastic is produced by the plastic industry every year. Synthetic plastics are not compatible with environment due to their non-renewable properties [2]. Biopolymers (natural polymers) are components that can be fabricated from different living organisms such as starch, cellulose, sugar, or other synthetic materials [3]. In the past decade, biopolymers were utilized to have limited applicability in food and packaging industry. Compared to the usual laminates, films, labels, and wraps based on fossil fuel resources, natural polymers seem to be a fine component from an environmental perspective [4]. Currently, various European countries such as Greece, Italy, and Finland are encouraging their universities and research centers to utilize these biopolymers for the development of biopackaging in food and non-food industries, e.g. several companies such as NatureWorks LLC and Imperial Chemical Industry (ICI) are focusing on the study of these bio- based polymeric materials. Packaging substances represent different features in barrier against water vapor, oxygen and carbon dioxide, the development and *Corresponding author: engmmarvi@gmail.com, vsmomai@gmail.com (M.M. Marvizadeh; Vajihesadat Moosavian) DOI: 10.22034/jchr.2020.1900584.1135