This study assessed the manufacture of polyamide (PA-6) composite casings based on
silver–zinc crystals with potential application in sausages packaging. The antimicrobial
activity of silver–zinc crystals was estimated by the minimum inhibitory concentration
method for microbial strains related with the spoilage of meat products. PA-6 films were
prepared as a multilayer film by bubble film sheet co-extrusion (130 8C–14,000 kPa), identi-
fied according to the layers distribution as control and active casings by adding 3% (w/w) of
silver–zinc crystals to obtain a film with good barrier and mechanical properties. DSC, DMTA
and SEM were also evaluated for determining the effects of microparticles in the polymeric
matrix. Silver–zinc crystals inhibited the growth of various microbial strains,
being Salmonella typhimurium ATCC 14028 which presented greatest resistance. Silver–zinc crystals were well impregnated in PA-6 films. Inclusion of silver–zinc crystals did not modify the mechanical properties and decreased the oxygen transmission rate of the films.