Preparation of the antioxidant active films
A 10% rosemary extract solution in ethanol was used to prepare
the active films. Commercial food grade lipid soluble rosemary extract
(Kemin Food Ingredients BVBA, Herentals, Belgium) containing
4.5% of carnosic acid was used.
In order to prepare the active films, ordinary household plastic
for wrapping foods, a low density polyethylene of 12 lm of thickness,
was cut into foils of the size: 30 22 cm = 660 cm2. The obtained
plastic foils were spread and the necessary amount of
rosemary extract solution to reach 1000 ppm (mg rosemary extract/
kg meat) was poured onto each one. Afterwards, it was well
distributed over the surface using a brush and left overnight for
ethanol evaporation. The antioxidant active film had 0.45 mg rosemary
extract/cm2.