Ecofriendly antimicrobial Acalypha indica leaf extract immobilized polycaprolactone nanofibrous mat for food package applications

Abstract

A novel antimicrobial food package material was designed by immobilization of medicinal plant Acalypha indica leaf extract on the polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofibrous mats which prevent the food materials from microbial contamination. The morphology of prepared mats was characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM) images. The loading of plant extract onto the PCL nanofibrous mats was confirmed by XRD spectrum. The porosity percentage of the prepared electrospun PCL nanofibrous mats has been found from SEM image using ImageJ software. The A. indica extract immobilized PCL nanofibrous mats were analyzed for its thermal stability and anti‐bacterial activity. The immobilized nanofibrous mats were tested with food samples (carrot pieces) inoculated in bacterial culture in order to check for their microbial inhibitory effect and monitored its shelf life period. The results of the work declare that the A. indica leaf extract immobilized electrospun PCL nanofibrous mat act as an effective antimicrobial food package material. Practical applications Nowadays, the microbial attack on foods may lead to major health issues worldwide. Many efforts have been taken for preservation and inhibition of such microbial attack on foods. The results of the present work reveal that the package material prepared by immobilization of natural antimicrobial plant extract into polycaprolactone nanofibrous mats vanish the bad odor emerges from foods due to microbial attack and increase the food shelf life period as well as food quality. Therefore, the prepared immobilized nanofibrous mats will serve as a promising package material for foods.

Recent Progress of Electrospun Herbal Medicine Nanofibers

“…Among the substances with antibacterial properties, some secondary metabolites of herbaceous plants, such as essential oils (EO), are mainly terpenoids, which have antioxidant and antibacterial properties. For example, Ziziphora clinopodioides essential oil (ZEO) and sesame essential oil (SO) [210], Laurus nobilis and Rosmarinus officinalis essential oils [235], Cinnamon essential oil [260], Oliveria decumbens Vent essential oil (OEO) [214] and other Chinese herbal bioactive substances with antimicrobial effects such as sucrose seed meal powder [13], Pomegranate peel [237], Acalypha indica [193], Nervilia fordii [93] for the preservation of high-fat foods and Butia catarinensis [261] for the outer packaging of biological foods. However, the effective active ingredients are usually affected by poor solubility, high volatility, and environmental factors (heat sensitivity) [188].…”

Effects of High-Pressure Homogenization Treatment on the Development of Antioxidant Zanthoxylum bungeanum Leaf Powder Films for Preservation of Fresh-Cut Apple

“…The solid residues of plant food by-products (such as leaves, bran, fruit husks, and nut shells) can be made into biodegradable packaging films by grinding them into powder and then processing them to prepare basic film-forming materials. Suitable thickeners, plasticizers, and cross-linking agents are then added to reduce the viscosity and brittleness of the films and improve their performance to meet the requirements of packaging materials [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]. Additionally, due to the presence of functional components in plant-based processing by-products, the prepared packaging films may possess active characteristics.…”