Hybrid Nanoclay/Clove Essential Oil in Cellulose Acetate Bionanocomposites for Cooked Ham Active Packaging

This study presents a new formulation of cellulose acetate bionanocomposites impregnated with a hybrid of nanoclay and clove essential oil and its evaluation in the preservation of cooked ham. The properties of the bionanocomposites were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy, colorimetry, mechanical tests, antioxidant and antimicrobial activity, as well as its application in cooked ham samples. The morphological analysis indicated a good dispersion of the nanoclay in the films, and the presence of the nanoclay impregnated with clove oil caused the water vapor permeability of the bionanocomposites to decrease. There was an increase in antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. A slight decrease was observed in the bacterial count, lipid oxidation, and pH of the cooked ham samples packaged with bionanocomposites. This study demonstrated that bionanocomposites of cellulose acetate and nano clove oil impregnated nanoclay hybrids can act as active packaging for slices of cooked ham.