This review summarizes the most relevant and recent knowledge
from studies regarding the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities
and their application in food systems of chitosan films and coatings
containing EOs. These studies have shown that antioxidant, antibacterial
and antifungal activity of chitosan coatings and films in vitro
and in food systems and the effectiveness of food preservation are
substantially improved after incorporation with EOs. The EO-incorporated
coatings and films showed great promise for their application
in extending the shelf-life and maintaining the quality of food
products, and controlling postharvest fungi and foodborne bacteria
in food system.
In the chitosan coating or film-EO systems, a number of factors affected
their antioxidant and antimicrobial activity, and their effectiveness
for food preservation. Further work is warranted in this research
area in order to optimize the effectiveness of the EO-incorporated coatings
and films. As mentioned earlier, chitosan is dependent on many