The effectiveness of natamycin supported in corn starch-based films to control environmental molds (mainly Penicillium spp) activity that could colonize the surface of semi-hard cheese during ripening, was evaluated. The starch amount was maximized, and this was achieved by adding polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and also polyurethane (PU) to the formulation. The PU acted as plasticizer and also provided functional groups that interacted with the natamycin and affected its diffusion. When 5 % PU was added, the natamycin migration of the coating doped with 1% natamycin was reduced by half. The natamycin distribution on both sides of the film was also evaluated, concluding that, in line with the reduced migration, when polyurethane is included, the formulation presents high hydrophobicity and natamycin is left with a preferential distribution towards the air face (exterior). For microbiological tests, microorganisms were isolated from cheese factories. Natamycin solutions showed inhibitory effect against environmental molds including Penicillium spp. Accordingly, films loaded with 0.1 % natamycin showed a significant inhibitory effect against Penicillium spp. The polymer combination in this work was optimized to obtain an active coating with good physicochemical properties and enriched with natamycin that has proven to be available for acting against molds and preferentially on the surface exposed to potential mold attack during ripening.

Starch-based films containing 70wt% of starch and a combination of poly(vinyl alcohol) and a low glass transition temperature polyurethane as plasticizer were prepared. The effect of PVA/PU ratio content on the morphology and physical properties was investigated by infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy and measurements of mechanical properties and water vapor permeability. A relative small amount of PU (less than 15 wt%), significantly changes the properties of the blend due to intermolecular hydrogen bonding interactions between the three components. FTIR and XRD results indicate that blends containing PU are more amorphous than the pure starch/PVA blend and SEM images show a homogeneous matrix due to the good compatibility between starch and PU. Incorporation of PU to the starch/PVA blend shifts the glass transition temperature to lower values and reduce the elastic modulus, indicating a successful plasticization effect. The resulting blends produce films with improved physical properties.

The incorporation of antimicrobials in foods by means of the use of films where they are entrapped collaborates to decrease their diffusion rate. In this work, the physicochemical properties of starch-based films loaded with 1% wt. natamycin were analyzed, and the antifungal activity of these films was evaluated against Penicillium spp.. Variations in the properties of films with 1% natamycin were minimal, leading to the conclusion that this material could be applied to avoid mold development on the surface semi-hard cheeses. Corn starch-based films containing natamycin at 1% w/w inhibited the Penicillium spp. growth in a solid matrix.