Characterization and application of the microencapsulated carvacrol/sodium alginate films as food packaging materials

• Published in: International journal of biological macromolecules Vol. 141; pp. 259 - 267
• Main Authors: Cheng, Meng, Wang, Juan, Zhang, Rongfei, Kong, Ruiqi, Lu, Wenqian, Wang, Xiangyou
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.12.2019
• Subjects: Alginates - chemistry; Anti-Infective Agents - chemistry; Anti-Infective Agents - pharmacology; Antifungal activity; Biocompatible Materials - chemistry; Chemical Phenomena; Cymenes - chemistry; Drug Compounding; Food Packaging; Mechanical Phenomena; Membranes, Artificial; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Microcapsule; Spectrum Analysis; Thermogravimetry; Antifungal activity; Film; Microcapsule
• ISSN: 0141-8130; 1879-0003
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2019.08.215

The carvacrol (CAR) was microencapsulated by β-cyclodextrin (βCD). To extend the shelf-life of white mushrooms against Trichoderma sp., the microencapsulated CAR (βCD-CARM)/sodium alginate (SA) films were prepared and characterized. The antifungal, physical, and mechanical properties of the films were investigated in this study. The results showed that the βCD-CARM with a core-to-wall ratio of 1:10 had better encapsulation efficiency and antifungal activity against Trichoderma sp., which was isolated from postharvest white mushrooms stored at 4 °C. The optimum concentration of βCD-CARM against Trichoderma sp. in vitro was 15 g/L. The water resistance, mechanical properties, light barrier property and heat aging of the film were enhanced after adding βCD-CARM. The films with 30 g/L βCD-CARM could efficiently against Trichoderma sp. The performance of βCD-CARM/SA films was confirmed to control the release of CAR for enhanced antifungal activity. Besides, the βCD-CARM/SA films increased the activities of active free-radical scavenging enzymes to alleviate oxidative damage and delay senescence of the postharvest white mushrooms. [Display omitted] •Microencapsulation was effective for the stability and release of CAR in films.•The βCD-CARM/SA films showed well antimicrobial activity against Trichoderma sp.•Related defense enzymes including SOD/CAT/APX exhibited higher activities.