Abstract
Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of magnesium oxide nanocomposite (MgO NC) film based on Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) alone or in combination with three concentrations of ε-poly-L-lysine (500, 1000 and 2000 µg/ml) on Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Listeria monocytogenes in culture media and fresh beef. Methods: MgO NC film were prepared by melt mixing LDPE and MgO nanoparticle in the extruder. For in vitro antibacterial analysis, the MgO NC film alone or in combination with polylysine were evaluated in tryptic soy broth for 5 days at 37 °C. For in vivo analysis, beef samples were inoculated with the selected bacteria and packaged in MgO NC film under vacuum and stored at 4 °C and evaluated for up to 20 days. Results: Polylysine had an antibacterial effect against E. coli and L. monocytogenes in TSB. But MgO NC film had a bacteriostatic effect only against E. coli. MgO NC film inhibited the growth of E. coli on the surface of beef samples. Pollysine at concentrations of 500 µg/ml or more showed inhibitory activity against E. coli and L. monocytogenes in beef samples. No additional reduction was observed by combining the different concentrations of polylysine with MgO NC film.Conclusions: Polylysine at all concentrations had an inhibitory effect on E. coli and L. monocytogenes in the culture medium and beef. Although the migration of MgO nanoparticle from the film to beef was very low, but as it has little antimicrobial effect, it is not recommended as a suitable package for improving the safety of raw beef.