Cellulose derivatives constitute one of the most dedicated polymers used in the production of biodegradable film coatings. The effect of the composition of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC)- Prosopis farcta root extract films on the physico-chemical properties, antimicrobial and antioxidant activity was investigated. Incorporation of prosopis farcta root extract into HPMC films induces strong changes on structure and color, antimicrobial and antioxidant activity, film solution viscosity and other physico-chemical characteristics such as mechanical and water barrier properties. Three types of extracts, respectively, ethanol, methanol and water were prepared. Studies about antioxidant activity of extract has shown the positive effect on delay oxidation of soy-bean oil, free radicals scavenging in DPPH and ?-carotene assay. Total phenolic and total flavonoid contents from root extract and Migration of phenolic compounds from HPMC- P rosopis farcta root extract was evaluated. In the antioxidant and anti-microbial assay ethanolic extract has shown the best results. Also ethanolic root extract has the most total flavonoids and phenolic contents. Migration of phenolic compounds in the HPMC film containing ethanolic extract of root prosopis farcta in aqueos, oil and acid food simulant was equal to7.039, 6.258 and 5.239 percent release after 10 days of incubation at 21 o C respectively. Subsequently, the antioxidant activities of films against soybean oil oxidation were evaluated during 12 days storage at 70 °C by measuring the (PV) and tiobarbitoric acid (TBA). For all of tests the highest antioxidant activity was observed for ehtanolic root extract compare with BHT. IC50 for extract was estimated and best results refers to ethanolic extract. Antimicrobial test for mayonnaise sausage packed with HPMC-ethcanolic extract has shown the good antimicrobial effect on delaying swelling and lactic acid production in mayonnaise sausage affected by heterofermentative lactic acid bacteries. Agar Disk diffusion assay from film containing ethanolic root extract has affected S.aureus , E.coli and S.thifimorium respectively. Owing to the strong antibacterial activity of the medicinal plants extract they can be used as effective alternatives for food preservation. Keywords: Biodegradable film, HPMC, Extract, Prosopis farcta , Antioxidant, Antimirobial
