Thymol/waxy maize starch nanoemulsion (TWSN) was successfully prepared via dynamic high-pressure micro-fluidization (DHPM) and applied in pullulan-based active food packaging material (P-TWSN). The properties of TWSN and its effect on the structural and physical-chemical properties of P-TWSN were then investigated. Concurrently, the impact of TWSN (0, 5, 15, 20, 25 mL) on the storage quality and flavor substances of strawberries coated by film-forming solution (FFS) were investigated by gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS). The results demonstrated that the prepared TWSN exhibited remarkable storage stability, maintaining a particle size of 127.9 ± 1.02 nm and a ζ-potential of −32.4 ± 0.42 mV. As TWSN concentration increased, P-TWSN exhibited a smooth and compact morphology, characterized by the presence of bubble-like pores and granular protrusions. Additionally, the FTIR peaks corresponded to the stretching vibration of -OH group of TWSN and related materials were shifted to lower wavenumbers. Furthermore, the materials with increasing content of TWSN exhibited excellent water solubility, enlarged WVP, stable thermal property and superior antibacterial capacity against gram-positive (S.aureus) than gram-negative (E. coli) bacteria. Strawberry samples sprayed by FFS with 20 mL TWSN exhibited the slowest decline in shrinkage, weight loss, titrable acidity, highest value of firmness, total soluble solids, and lower content of ascorbic acid and viable microorganisms in comparison with other dosages. Additionally, the contents of esters and alcohols in treated strawberries reached the summit on the fourth day of storage and subsequently declined, while the ketone content exhibited a downward trend with increasing TWSN, particularly in the samples with 20 and 25 mL TWSN. The studies identified an efficient method for preparing starch-based nanoemulsion by DHPM, which could be prospective in bio-active packaging materials.
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