Mechanical properties of gelatin nano-hybrid mat reinforced by electrosprayed zein nanoparticles containing tarragon essential oil and in vitro release modeling

Abstract

This research aimed to produce a nano-hybrid mat based on electrospun gelatin nanofibers (EGNFs) reinforced with electrosprayed zein nanoparticles (EZNPs) containing tarragon essential oil (TEO). TEO was first loaded at10%, 15%, and 20% w/w in the structure of EZNPs and used as a nano-biofiller to reinforce EGNFs mats. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) images showed that using 15% w/w of the TEO in the structure of EZNPs led to the formation of particles with a uniform morphology and a smooth surface. Also, FESEM images revealed that increasing the level of nanoparticles from 0% to 10% w/w significantly reduced the diameter of EGNFs from 305.6 to 160.9 nm. The successful encapsulation of the TEO in the structure of EZNPs and the successful arrangement/incorporation of nanoparticles in the structure of EGNFs were confirmed using Fourier transform infrared analysis (FTIR). The EZNPs containing 15% w/w of TEO were employed in the EGNFs at 5%, 10%, and 15% w/w, and the used nanoparticles at10% w/w reinforced the tensile strength and Young's modulus of mats. The successful placement of EZNPs containing TEO in the EGNFs and the increase in thermal stability of TEO were confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry. In vitro release of TEO in simulated media proved that the dominant release mechanism is Fickian diffusion, and the best model describing the release behavior is Peleg's model. Using 10% EZNPs loaded with TEO is recommended to improve the mechanical properties and sustain the release of the essential oil in food systems and food packaging.