Chitosan Film Functionalized with Grape Seed Oil—Preliminary Evaluation of Antimicrobial Activity

Although the fishing and wine industries undoubtedly contribute significantly to the
economy, they also generate large waste streams with considerable repercussions on both economic
and environmental levels. Scientific literature has shown products can be extracted from these streams
which have properties of interest to the cosmetics, pharmaceutical and food industries. Antimicrobial
activity is undoubtedly among the most interesting of these properties, and particularly useful in
the production of food packaging to increase the shelf life of food products. In this study, film
for food packaging was produced for the first time using chitosan extracted from the exoskeletons
of red shrimp (Aristomorpha foliacea) and oil obtained from red grape seeds (Vitis vinifera). The
antimicrobial activity of two films was analyzed: chitosan-only film and chitosan film with the
addition of red grape seed oil at two different concentrations (0.5 mL and 1 mL). Our results showed
noteworthy antimicrobial activity resulting from functionalized chitosan films; no activity was
observed against pathogen and spoilage Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, although the
antimicrobial effects observed were species-dependent. The preliminary results of this study could
contribute to developing the circular economy, helping to promote the reuse of waste to produce
innovative films for food packaging