Abstract
Low density polyethlene(LDPE0 films of 50${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ thickness were fabricated with addition of antimicrobial agents of Rheum palmatum extract, Coptis chinensis extract, sorbic acid and Ag-substitude inorganic zirconium matrix in 1% concentration. The films were compared in physical properties, tested in antimicrobial activity against some selected microorganisms on the agar plate medium and then applied for packaging fresh curled lettuce and cucumber to preserve their qualities. The films with Rheum palmatum extract, Coptis chinensis extract, and Ag-substituted inorganic zirconium matrix did not show any antimicrobial activity on the disk test against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus oryzae, Penicilluium chrysogenum, while film with sorbic acid did against E. coli, S. aureus and L. mesenteroides. The added antimicrobial agents changed the color and light transmittance of the films, but did not affect their mechanical tensile strength, heat shrinkage and wettability. For the packaged curled lettuce and cucumber stored at 5$^{\circ}C$ and 1$0^{\circ}C$, all the LDPE films impregnated with antimicrobial agents showed the reduced growth of total aerobic bacteria in the vegetables compared with control film without any additive until it reached the level around 108/g. They did not give any negative effect on other quality attributes during storage.
