Characterization and sustained release study of starch-based films loaded with carvacrol: A promising UV-shielding and bioactive nanocomposite film

• Published in: Food science & technology 2023-04, Vol.180, p.114719, Article 114719
• Main Authors: Mao, Shuo, Li, Fangyu, Zhou, Xiaobin, Lu, Chengwen, Zhang, Tiehua
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Active film; antioxidant activity; antioxidants; Carvacrol; Escherichia coli; food preservation; hydrogen; nanocomposites; Nanoemulsion; nanoemulsions; permeability; Potato starch; Release kinetics; shelf life; starch; thermal stability; water solubility; water vapor
• ISSN: 0023-6438; 1096-1127
• DOI: 10.1016/j.lwt.2023.114719

Present study was aimed to develop sustainable active films with starch/carvacrol for potential food packaging. The physicochemical, antioxidant, antibacterial and release kinetics were analyzed. The results demonstrated that carvacrol nanoemulsion (CNE) was uniformly dispersed in the film matrix and interacted with hydrogen bonds. The addition of carvacrol improved the thermal stability, UV shielding, water solubility and water vapor permeability of the films, but reduced their mechanical properties. Films prepared with CNE (≥10%) exhibited high antioxidant activity (>60%), and inhibition zones of the best antimicrobial activities achieved 28.6 ± 1.4 and 57.2 ± 3.7 (mm) against E. coli and S. aureus. The release kinetics of carvacrol from the nanocomposite films exhibited a higher carvacrol release in the acidic simulant than in the aqueous simulant at equilibrium. The dominant mechanism of carvacrol release was Fickian diffusion and showed minimal erosion. Overall, the sustainable composite films exhibited desirable physical properties and bioactivity, and could be used as edible materials for food preservation, especially for extending the shelf life of acidic foods. •Bioactive edible films showed high UV shielding property, water solubility and thermal stability.•Incorporation of carvacrol improved the antioxidant and antibacterial activity of the films.•Mechanism for the controlled release of carvacrol was Fickian diffusion.•Nanocomposite films have a promising application in acidic food.