Carvacrol loaded electrospun fibrous films from zein and poly(lactic acid) for active food packaging

Abstract

The composite fibrous films were developed from zein and poly(lactic acid) (PLA) by incorporating carvacrol at three different concentrations (5, 10 and 20%) using electrospinning. The morphology and size of fibers obtained from both zein and PLA were affected by the level of the incorporated carvacrol. The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) results showed that carvacrol was encapsulated in electrospun zein and PLA fibers. The antioxidant activity of carvacrol loaded zein fibers ranged from 62 to 75%, while antioxidant capacity of PLA fibers varied from 53 to 65% for 5e20% carvacrol content. The composite fibrous films showed a sustained diffusion controlled release behavior. Preliminary studies on whole wheat bread samples showed that carvacrol loaded electrospun zein and PLA fibers are able to preserve bread samples, indicating that they are good candidates for active food packaging applications to extend the shelf life of whole wheat bread.

Biocompatible and Biodegradable Electrospun Nanofibrous Membranes Loaded with Grape Seed Extract for Wound Dressing Application

“…After the GSE incorporation, an extra vibrational mode assigned to the −C=C−O deformation of GSE was observed at 1619 and 1616 cm -1 for PLA/GSE and PLA/PEO/GSE, respectively (Figure 2(b)). These bands are shifted with respect to the GSE powder, indicating an interaction between the polymeric matrix and the extract, most probably based on intermolecular hydrogen bonds [8,14,31]. Regarding the PLA/PEO/GSE nanofibers, an additional peak at 1518 cm -1 , characteristic of phenolic compounds, appeared in the spectrum.…”

“…Typical bands of these phenolic compounds can be observed at 3300 cm -1 corresponding to stretching modes of the different −OH groups, at 1604 and 1520 cm -1 due to the −C=C−O deformation of the heterocyclic ring, at 1437 cm -1 attributed to the −CH deformation of the aromatic ring, at 1283 cm -1 associated with ester C−O stretching, and at 1104 cm -1 due to phenol and ether C−O stretching [34,38]. The FTIR spectrum of PLA displayed the characteristic carbonyl (C=O) absorption band at 1752 cm -1 , the C−O−C stretching bands at 1184 and 1086 cm -1 , while the peaks at 1453 and 1382 cm -1 are related to the C-H deformation [31]. The PLA/PEO blend nanofibers displayed the characteristics bands of PLA at 1752 (C=O), 1180 and 1082 cm -1 (O−C−O), while the C−H stretch from the PEO backbone appeared at 2890 cm -1 [37].…”

“…The in vitro antioxidant activity of the GSE-loaded nanofibers was evaluated using the DPPH radical scavenging activity assay [31]. The nanofibers were first dissolved in DMF/acetone (1 : 1, v/v) and treated with a methanolic solution of DPPH (0.1 mM) for 30 min at room temperature in darkness.…”

“…The antioxidant activity of GSE-loaded nanofibers was tested by using the DPPH radical scavenging assay. This method consists in performing reduction of the relatively stable DPPH radical to its nonradical form in the presence of a H-donating compound with antioxidant activity [31]. The antioxidant activity of the GSE for both loaded nanofibers (PLA/GSE and PLA/PEO/GSE) was determined as 85 5 ± 0 9%, even after 45 days.…”

Vegetable Additives in Food Packaging Polymeric Materials

“…Polypeptides: Reinforcement in polymer composites [33]. Food packaging applications [34] or incorporated as a reinforcement in films with enhanced barrier properties [35] (zein). Mixing different proteins with polysaccharides is an effective way to improve barrier and mechanical properties of proteinpolysaccharides films [36].…”