Leveraging gas generation for Humidity-Responsive release of Thyme essential oil via nanofiber film for fresh fruits

Abstract

The preservation of fruits using slow-release packaging for Thyme essential oil (THY) encounters a significant challenge associated with premature release. Therefore, the development of a controlled release system for essential oils is essential to enhance preservation and reduce wastage. This study introduces a novel humidity-responsive nanofiber film enhanced by gas generation for controlled THY release. This film can generate CO2 gas within its nanofibers in high humidity environments, facilitating the release of loaded THY. The film exhibits excellent humidity-responsive release properties and possesses notable antimicrobial and antifungal characteristics. It effectively extends the shelf life of strawberries, inhibits microbial growth, reduces weight loss, and mitigates hardness reduction. The humidity-responsive nanofiber film effectively addresses the issue of premature THY release, presenting significant potential for fruit preservation applications. Furthermore, this gas-enhanced release approach enhances the sensitivity of stimulus-responsive release, providing novel insights into the design of nanofiber-based controlled release systems.