Development and characterization of a carvacrol nanoemulsion and evaluation of its antimicrobial activity against selected food‐related pathogens

Abstract

Significance and impact of the study: Microorganisms such as Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Enteritidis and S. enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium can cause contamination in fresh or processed food products. The use of natural compounds, for instance carvacrol, can be an alternative to the use of synthetic bactericides. Our data demonstrate that the carvacrol nanoemulsion (NECV) had stability for up to 90 days, promoted inhibitory activity against all evaluated microorganisms , and improved antimicrobial activity against P. aeruginosa, S. aureus and S. Typhimurium when compared to free oil. These findings suggest that NECV can be evaluated as a food preservative to promote antimicrobial activity.

Development, Characterization, and Immunomodulatory Evaluation of Carvacrol-loaded Nanoemulsion

“…The proportions of CV/MCT, surfactants, and ultrasonic parameters were responsible for the size of the CVNE. Recent studies carried out by Felício et al and Mazerei et al with carvacrol have also obtained similar droplet sizes using CV in nanoemulsions containing Tween ® 80 and Span ® 80 as surfactants, with size droplets varying between 125 and 164 nm and 148 and 151 nm, respectively [ 20 , 36 ].…”

“…In the BNE, CV was replaced with MCT. The CVNE was prepared by ultrasonication, and the components were subjected to four homogenization cycles in a sonication apparatus (model QE200, Ultronique, Brazil) for 1 min at 300 W using an ice bath, followed by an ultrasonic bath for 1 min [ 20 ].…”

“…The advantages of this system include the enhancement of the solubility and bioavailability of lipophilic molecules (e.g., CV), controlled drug release, and protection from enzymatic degradation [ 18 , 19 ]. Nanoemulsions can be produced using different methodologies, including high-energy methods such as high-pressure homogenization, ultrasonication, and microfluidization [ 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 ].…”

Cytoprotective potentialities of carvacrol and its nanoemulsion against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats: development of nano-encasulation form

“…The droplets of nanoemulsion have a size ranging from 20 to 200 nm [ 46 ]. Felicio et al., 2021 [ 47 ] described that the nanoemulsion of carvecrol prepared under the same conditions is stable with the zeta potential ranges of −26.37 to −14.60. It has been reported that the small droplet size of nanoemulsion can be recognized when the surfactant hydrophile lipophile balance (HLB) value coincides with the value of the essential oil [ 48 ].…”

Preparation and Characterization of Carvacrol-Loaded Caseinate/Zein-Composite Nanoparticles Using the Anti-Solvent Precipitation Method

“…However, the properties of CA, such as its insolubility in water, volatile nature, and unique odor, limit its application in food preservation [5]. Researchers have improved the stability and sustained release properties of CA by preparing loading systems such as liposomes [6], microcapsules, and emulsions [7], or directly adding CA essential oil into films [8]. By comparing these studies, it was found that reducing the size of the particles to the nanometer level can effectively improve their active-ingredient efficacy, redispersibility, and bioavailability [9].…”