| Abstrakt: |
The purpose of the present research was to prepare an active electrospun nanofiber mat based on the blend of kafirin (Kaf) and polylactic acid (PLA) with clove essential oil (CEO) and to investigate its properties for the development of an antimicrobial nanofilm. For this purpose, ultrafine Kaf/PLA nanofibers with different proportions of Kaf/PLA (15:85%, 20:80%, 25:75%, and 50:50% (v/v)) were prepared using an electrospinning device at a voltage of 25–28 kV, a distance between the needle tip and the collector of 14 cm, and a flow rate of 1 ml/h and examined for their morphology. Then, the CEO was incorporated into the optimized Kaf/PLA nanofibers at different concentrations (3, 6, and 9% (v/v)). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were used to investigate the properties of the nanofibers produced. The antimicrobial activity was also investigated. The results of the SEM examination showed that the produced ultrafine fibers had a uniform morphology with a cylindrical shape without beads, regardless of the amount of CEO. The FTIR test confirmed the formation of new chemical interactions between Kaf, PLA, and the CEO. According to the TGA results, the incorporated CEO increased the thermal stability of the nanofibers. The antimicrobial activity of CEO was confirmed by analyzing the minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration against Listeria monocytogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli. The investigation of the antimicrobial activity of nanofibers also showed that nanofibers containing CEO have a good inhibitory effect against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The nanofibers produced with 9% (v/v) CEO were the most effective against all microorganisms tested. Finally, the release behavior of Kaf/PLA nanofibers loaded with CEO was investigated at three different temperatures (4, 25, and 37 °C) and two food simulants (50% and 95% ethanol). The release results showed that the release mechanism was consistent with Fick's model. The results showed that at all three temperatures, the release rate is higher in 98% ethanol than in 50% ethanol. The present study showed that active nanofibers containing CEO have high potential for use in the food packaging industry to reduce microbial contamination. Generally, this research proposed hopeful usage of CEO-loaded electrospun Kaf/PLA nanofibers for antimicrobial bioactive food packaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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