Structure, Functionality, and Active Release of Nanoclay–Soy Protein Films Affected by Clove Essential Oil

Bacterial nanocellulose-based nanopaper activated by β-cyclodextrin/ Salvia officinalis essential oil complexes for shelf life extension of shrimp

Active bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) nanopapers containing Salvia officinalis essential oil (SEO) in free form and encapsulated with β-cyclodextrin (βCD) were prepared, and their effect on the shelf life extension of shrimp was investigated. The GC-MS analysis of the SEO indicated the presence of various active compounds such as Thujone (21.53 %), Ledol (12.51 %) and Eucalyptol (11.28 %) in the essential oil composition. The cytotoxicity of the SEO and SEO-βCD complexes in the L929 cell line was quite low. FTIR analysis revealed new interactions in the nanopapers containing SEO-βCD complexes. Microscopic images showed that SEO-βCD complexation improved the surface morphology of the BNC nanopapers, whereas free SEO had a negative effect. X-ray diffraction patterns of the nanopapers showed higher crystallinity of the SEO-βCD containing nanopapers than that of the SEO-incorporated nanopapers. Moreover, the addition of the SEO-βCD complex improved the thermal properties of the BNC nanopaper. Water contact angle analysis showed higher hydrophobicity of the samples containing free SEO than that of the other samples. Both SEO-βCD and free SEO increased the elongation at break and decreased the tensile strength of the nanopaper. The prepared active films showed a greater antimicrobial effect on L. monocytogenes than on E. coli. The results showed a higher antioxidant capacity of the free SEO-containing nanopapers (58-78 %). The desirable effects of the active nanopapers on shrimp preservation were demonstrated by the results obtained for the microbial load, pH, and volatile nitrogen content of the product. The results demonstrate the potential of the prepared BNC active nanopapers for use in active antioxidant/antimicrobial food packaging.

Active Biodegradable Starch/PBAT-poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) Film with Eucalyptus citriodora Essential Oil Incorporation

Plastic pollution and the reduction in synthetic food additives are demands that emerge from consumers, leading to the development of biodegradable plastic materials. The use of essential oils-EOs-has been researched because it is a natural product with antioxidant properties. Due to its nature, EO is composed of volatile compounds that can be lost during extrusion. The aim of this work was to produce active biodegradable starch/PBAT films with the incorporation of neat Eucalyptus citriodora EO (0.5, 1.0, and 1.5%) or EO microencapsulated by spray drying (2.5, 5.0, and 7.5%), aiming at the protection of the EO. The produced films showed adequate mechanical properties (tensile strength ranged from 5.72 to 7.54 MPa and the elongation at break ranged from 319 to 563%). Testing in food simulants showed that the films retained antioxidant activity, being more suitable for use in fatty or non-acid foods, with the microencapsulation process offering protection to the EO during the process.

Improving the functionality of biodegradable food packaging materials via porous nanomaterials

Non-biodegradability and disposal problems are the major challenges associated with synthetic plastic packaging. This review article discusses a new generation of biodegradable active and smart packaging based on porous nanomaterials (PNMs), which maintains the quality and freshness of food products while meeting biodegradability requirements. PNMs have recently gained significant attention in the field of food packaging due to their large surface area, peculiar structures, functional flexibility, and thermal stability. We present for the first time the recently published literature on the incorporation of various PNMs into renewable materials to develop advanced, environmentally friendly, and high-quality packaging technology. Various emerging packaging technologies are discussed in this review, along with their advantages and disadvantages. Moreover, it provides general information about PNMs, their characterization, and fabrication methods. It also briefly describes the effects of different PNMs on the functionality of biopolymeric films. Furthermore, we examined how smart packaging loaded with PNMs can improve food shelf life and reduce food waste. The results indicate that PNMs play a critical role in improving the antimicrobial, thermal, physicochemical, and mechanical properties of natural packaging materials. These tailor-made materials can simultaneously extend the shelf life of food while reducing plastic usage and food waste.

Current Trends in the Utilization of Essential Oils for Polysaccharide- and Protein-Derived Food Packaging Materials

Essential oils (EOs) have received attention in the food industry for developing biopolymer-derived food packaging materials. EOs are an excellent choice to replace petroleum-derived additives in food packaging materials due to their abundance in nature, eco-friendliness, and superior antimicrobial and antioxidant attributes. Thus far, EOs have been used in cellulose-, starch-, chitosan-, and protein-based food packaging materials. Biopolymer-based materials have lower antioxidant and antibacterial properties in comparison with their counterparts, and are not suitable for food packaging applications. Various synthetic-based compounds are being used to improve the antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of biopolymers. However, natural essential oils are sustainable and non-harmful alternatives to synthetic antimicrobial and antioxidant agents for use in biopolymer-derived food packaging materials. The incorporation of EOs into the polymeric matrix affects their physicochemical properties, particularly improving their antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. EOs in the food packaging materials increase the shelf life of the packaged food, inhibit the growth of microorganisms, and provide protection against oxidation. Essential oils also influence other properties, such as tensile, barrier, and optical properties of the biopolymers. This review article gives a detailed overview of the use of EOs in biopolymer-derived food packaging materials. The innovative ways of incorporating of EOs into food packaging materials are also highlighted, and future perspectives are discussed.

Flavor, antimicrobial activity and physical properties of gelatin film incorporated with of ginger essential oil

Adding essential oil into the gelatin-based film can enhance the antibacterial activity of the film, but excessive amounts of addition will bring the film an unpleasant flavor and reduce its mechanical performance. Hence, we prepared functional gelatin-based films by incorporating low content of ginger essential oil (GEO). The flavor of GEO was not detected from the films containing less than 1% GEO. The antimicrobial activity of films was found to be proportional to GEO content. As GEO content increased from 0 to 1%, the value of water vapor permeability (WVP) and elongation at break (EAB) increased, whereas the value of tensile strength (TS) of film decreased. The Attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy analysis revealed the vibration of gelatin film was affected by adding low content of essential oil. Surface morphologies demonstrated oil droplets and a discontinuous structure, and cross-section morphologies proved the formation of a loose structure as GEO was incorporated in the film through SEM. Sensory evaluation revealed that composite films incorporated with 0.5% GEO exhibited the best performance. The resulting films can be used as antimicrobial packaging materials with good physical properties and sensory performance.

Development of a Sodium Alginate-Based Active Package with Controlled Release of Cinnamaldehyde Loaded on Halloysite Nanotubes

The worsening environment and the demand for safer food have accelerated the development of new food packaging materials. The objective of this research is to prepare antimicrobial food packaging film with controlled release by loading cinnamaldehyde (CIN) on etched halloysite nanotubes (T-HNTs) and adding it to sodium alginate (SA) matrix. The effects of T-HNTs-CIN on the physical functional properties and antibacterial activity of the film were systematically evaluated, and the release of CIN in the film was also quantified. Transmission electron microscopy and nitrogen adsorption experiments showed that the halloysite nanotubes had been etched and CIN was successfully loaded into the T-HNTs. The addition of T-HNTs-CIN significantly improved the water vapor barrier properties and tensile strength of the film. Similarly, the presence of T-HNTs-CIN in the film greatly reduced the negative effects of ultraviolet rays. The release experiment showed that the diffusion time of CIN in SA/T-HNTs-CIN film to fatty food simulation solution was delayed 144 h compared with that of SA/CIN film. Herein, the antibacterial experiment also confirmed the controlled release effect of T-HNTs on CIN. In conclusion, SA/T-HNTs-CIN film might have broad application prospects in fatty food packaging.

Polysaccharide and Protein Films with Antimicrobial/Antioxidant Activity in the Food Industry: A Review

From an economic point of view, the spoilage of food products during processing and distribution has a negative impact on the food industry. Lipid oxidation and deterioration caused by the growth of microorganisms are the main problems during storage of food products. In order to reduce losses and extend the shelf-life of food products, the food industry has designed active packaging as an alternative to the traditional type. In the review, the benefits of active packaging materials containing biopolymers (polysaccharides and/or proteins) and active compounds (plant extracts, essential oils, nanofillers, etc.) are highlighted. The antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of this type of film has also been highlighted. In addition, the impact of active packaging on the quality and durability of food products during storage has been described.

Antibacterial nanobiocomposite based on halloysite nanotubes and extracted xylan from bagasse pith

In this study, the antibacterial polyelectrolyte carboxymethyl xylan/chitosan (CMX/CS) films incorporated with halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) and Origanum vulgare essential oil (OEO) were prepared and then characterized. Xylan-rich hemicelluloses (62.23%) were extracted from sugarcane bagasse pith and then subjected to carboxymethylation. FTIR analysis revealed the successful modification of hemicelluloses. The irregular white spots in SEM images of nanobiocomposites revealed the entrance of HNTs into the polymer matrix. EDX maps manifested that the density of Si and Al atoms increased, as the amount of HNT increased. The observed discontinuities for EO-containing nanobiocomposites in the SEM images may be attributed to the hydrophobic nature of EO. The barrier properties of the nanocomposites improved by incorporation of HNTs and O. vulgare. The tensile strength of nanocomposite improved significantly by incorporating HNT. EO/HNT-containing films exhibited a higher antibacterial activity against selected bacteria than HNT-containing films.

Sodium Hydroxide-Free Soy Protein Isolate-Based Films Crosslinked by Pentaerythritol Glycidyl Ether

The soy protein isolate (SPI), sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (SDBS) and pentaerythritol glycidyl ether (PEGE) were used to make biodegradable films in this study. Unlike the usual method that adding sodium hydroxide (NaOH) during the SPI-based film casting, SDBS was used as a surfactant playing the similar role as NaOH. Since NaOH is a chemical with corrosiveness and toxicity, the replacing of NaOH by SDBS might reduce the hazard threat during the utilization of SPI-based films in food packing application. Furthermore, the presentation of SDBS helped dispersing the hydrophobic PEGE into the hydrophilic SPI. PEGE is a crosslinking agent with multiple reactive epoxy groups. The chemical structures and micro morphologies of the fabricated films were investigated by means of FTIR, XRD, and SEM. The thermal stabilities of the films were examined by means of the thermo-gravimetric analysis. After the chemical crosslinking, the ultimate tensile strength of the film was significantly increased, meanwhile, the water absorption was dramatically decreased. It was concluded that the SPI-based film containing 4% PEGE achieved the optimal performance.

Effect of ultrasound treatment on the properties of nano-emulsion films obtained from hazelnut meal protein and clove essential oil

Hazelnut meal protein (4% (w/v)) and clove essential oil (CEO) (3% (v/v)) were homogenized with ultrasound (US) at different times (2, 4 and 6 min) and amplitudes (50, 75 and 100%) to obtain nano-emulsion films. Film forming nano-emulsions (FFNs) were analyzed for average particle size (D_z) and zeta potential, and edible film characterization were evaluated depending on US treatment, as well as antibacterial and antioxidant activities. D_z values and zeta potential of FFNs decreased with increasing acoustic energy delivered to nano-emulsion system. Thickness and water solubility of films significantly decreased with increasing US treatment. Films became more transparent depending on US treatment probably due to particle size reduction. Tensile strength (TS) of films significantly increased with US treatment, while elongation at break (EAB) slightly increased. Microstructure of films became more homogeneous after US treatment and caused to lower water vapor permeability. Enrichment with CEO has given the films antibacterial activity against L. monocytogenes, B. subtilis, S. aureus, P. aeruginosa and E. coli, and antioxidant activity, and US application has improved these activities. US technology can be used to improve mechanical, barrier and antimicrobial properties of hazelnut meal protein based edible films enriched with CEO.

Active nanocomposite films based on soy proteins-montmorillonite- clove essential oil for the preservation of refrigerated bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) fillets

This manuscript evaluates the potential application of active nanocomposite films based on soy protein isolate (SPI)-montmorillonite (MMT)-clove essential oil (CEO) to the preservation of muscle fillets of bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) during refrigerated storage, and furthermore analyzes whether the clay diffuses from the package to food. SPI films with: CEO (SPI-CEO), MMT (SPI-MMT), or both CEO and MMT (SPI-MMT-CEO), were prepared and used to cover tuna fillets during 17days of storage at 2°C. Polyethylene films were also used as control. Protein films nanoreinforced with 10g MMT/100g SPI and activated with CEO were able to decrease microbial growth (evaluated by TVBN and microorganism counts) and lipid autooxidation (evaluated according to the TBA index, FTIR and color parameters) of tuna fillets during the storage period studied. The presence of clay seemed to favor the release of the active principles of clove oil by prolonging its antimicrobial (especially effective to inhibit Pseudomonas spp.) and antioxidant activity over time without observing the diffusion of the clay's own metals (Si and Al) from the nanocomposite materials to the muscle of fish. These results are encouraging for the use of nanocomposite films in food packaging.