Antimicrobial Effect of Concord Paper Containing with Lemongrass Oil against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus

The use of an antimicrobial label in food packaging as a form of active packaging is an interesting to investigate. This label can be used to extend the shelf life of food. Lemongrass oil is one of essential oil that is potential used as an antimicrobial agent. In this study, the antimicrobial effect of label made from concord paper which incorporated with lemongrass oil was prepared and tested against the bacteria Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus using disk inhibition zone method. This antimicrobial label was tested using FTIR to investigate the interaction between essential oil and the matrix. The lemongrass oil was tested using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry to determine the levels and presence of compounds suspected of having antimicrobial activity. The labels have antibacterial activity against E. coli with the diameter of inhibition zone maximum about 47.85 mm but not active toward the S. aureus. From the results of the antibacterial test can be seen that the use of antibacterial label is promising when used for food safety with a prolonged shelf