Electrospun carboxymethyl cellulose-gelatin nanofibrous films encapsulated with Mentha longifolia L. essential oil for active packaging of peeled giant freshwater prawn

Abstract

The aims of the current study were to encapsulate Mentha longifolia L. essential oil (MEO; 0.5, 1, and 2%) into carboxymethyl cellulose-gelatin (CMC-GE) nanofibers via electrospinning and to evaluate the effects of fabricated nanofibrous films on improving the shelf-life of peeled freshwater prawns during refrigerated storage for 14 days. CMC-GE-MEO 0.5%, CMC-GE-MEO 1%, and CMC-GE-MEO 2% nanofibrous films showed significantly lower force (21.74–25.33 N), tensile strength (6.52–8.56 MPa), water vapor permeability (7.25-9.34 × 10‾4 g mm/m2 h Pa), and swelling index (20.14–27.45%) compared to the neat CMC-GE (p < 0.05). The elongation at break significantly increased when MEO was incorporated into the CMC-GE (p < 0.05). The neat CMC-GE had the highest blue-yellow index (b = 1.02 ± 0.01) and the lowest green-red index (a = −0.12 ± 0.01) and lightness (L = 95.92 ± 0.07). CMC-GE-MEO 1% and CMC-GE-MEO 2% nanofibrous films successfully improved the microbial population and chemical property of peeled prawns for 12 and 14 days, respectively. Prawns packaged with CMC-GE-MEO 2% nanofibrous film had significantly the highest sensory scores in terms of odor, color, texture, taste, and total acceptance throughout the study period (p < 0.05).