Development of Poly(lactic acid)/Chitosan Fibers Loaded with Essential Oil for Antimicrobial Applications

Yaowen Liu,Rong Zhang,Wenting Lan,Shuyao Wang,Wen Qin

doi:10.3390/nano7070194

Yaowen Liu, Rong Zhang + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/nano7070194

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Abstract

Cinnamon essential oil (CEO) was successfully encapsulated into chitosan (CS) nanoparticles at different loading amounts (1%, 1.5%, 2%, and 2.5% v/v) using oil-in-water (o/w) emulsion and ionic-gelation methods. In order to form active packaging, poly(lactic acid) (PLA) was used to fabricate PLA/CS-CEO composite fibers using a simple electrospinning method. The shape, size, zeta potential, and encapsulation efficacy of the CS-CEO nanoparticles were investigated. The composition, morphology, and release behavior of the composite fibers were investigated. PLA/CS-CEO-1.5 showed good stability and favorable sustained release of CEO, resulting in improved antimicrobial activity compared to the other blends. The PLA/CS-CEO fibers showed high long-term inactivation rates against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus due to the sustained release of CEO, indicating that the developed PLA/CS-CEO fibers have great potential for active food packaging applications.

Highlights

Many new active packaging materials are receiving increasing attention in the food packaging industry
The blended poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/CS-Cinnamon essential oil (CEO) electrospun fibers were denoted as PLA/CS-CEO-1, PLA/CS-CEO-1.5, PLA/CS-CEO-2, and PLA/CS-CEO-2.5, where the values refer to the relative CEO concentration
CS-CEO nanoparticles were used as a carrier for load CEO for active packaging materials

Summary

Introduction

Many new active packaging materials are receiving increasing attention in the food packaging industry. Cinnamon essential oil (CEO) is a natural antimicrobial substance which is being investigated for food packaging as a replacement for synthetic chemicals due to consumer concerns over food safety. CEO has low toxicity, low environmental impact, and high antibacterial and antioxidant activity [1]. Encapsulation protects CEO from hostile environmental conditions, thereby extending the shelf life of the product and enabling controlled release of the active compound [3]. Many polymers, such as liposomes, sodium alginate, and chitosan, have been widely used to encapsulate and increase the stability and bioactivity of essential oils [4]

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