Ecofriendly antimicrobial Acalypha indica leaf extract immobilized polycaprolactone nanofibrous mat for food package applications

Abstract

A novel antimicrobial food package material was designed by immobilization of medicinal plant Acalypha indica leaf extract on the polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofibrous mats which prevent the food materials from microbial contamination. The morphology of prepared mats was characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM) images. The loading of plant extract onto the PCL nanofibrous mats was confirmed by XRD spectrum. The porosity percentage of the prepared electrospun PCL nanofibrous mats has been found from SEM image using ImageJ software. The A. indica extract immobilized PCL nanofibrous mats were analyzed for its thermal stability and anti-bacterial activity. The immobilized nanofibrous mats were tested with food samples (carrot pieces) inoculated in bacterial culture in order to check for their microbial inhibitory effect and monitored its shelf life period. The results of the work declare that the A. indica leaf extract immobilized electrospun PCL nanofibrous mat act as an effective antimicrobial food package material. Practical applications Nowadays, the microbial attack on foods may lead to major health issues worldwide. Many efforts have been taken for preservation and inhibition of such microbial attack on foods. The results of the present work reveal that the package material prepared by immobilization of natural antimicrobial plant extract into polycaprolactone nanofibrous mats vanish the bad odor emerges from foods due to microbial attack and increase the food shelf life period as well as food quality. Therefore, the prepared immobilized nanofibrous mats will serve as a promising package material for foods.