Protease-assisted microencapsulation of carvacrol in pea protein systems for enhanced and durable antibiofilm activity

Enzyme-responsive core-shell nanofibers based on zein/gelatin with controlled release of carvacrol for salmon preservation.

This study presents an enzyme-gated, core-shell fibrous packaging system engineered for intelligent, on-demand salmon preservation. Utilizing coaxial electrospinning, carvacrol (CAR) was encapsulated within a zein (ZN)/gelatin (GA) matrix with a 63.94% encapsulation efficiency, producing uniform, highly hydrophobic films (water contact angle: 125.2°). The packaging functions as an "intelligent gate," where spoilage-associated bacterial proteases induce proteolytic hydrolysis of the shell, triggering the precise release of the antimicrobial payload. Mechanistically, release kinetics shifted from passive diffusion (Higuchi model) under enzyme-free conditions to an enzyme-catalyzed, first-order process at 3 U/mL protease, enhancing cumulative CAR release from 40.4% to 88.4%. In 4 °C storage trials, this dynamic responsiveness effectively inhibited bacterial proliferation and extended salmon shelf life by 2 days. This approach offers a sophisticated, targeted solution for intelligent food packaging, successfully overcoming the limitations of conventional burst-release systems.

Biodegradable Chitosan Films Incorporated with β-Cyclodextrin Microcapsules Loaded Clove with Essential Oil for Table Grape Preservation

Postharvest spoilage of fresh fruits demands efficient bio-based packaging films. Here, chitosan/gelatin (CG) films were incorporated with β-cyclodextrin-encapsulated clove essential oil microcapsules (β-CD@CEO MCs) at varying loadings. The results suggested that CEO encapsulation occurred within β-CD cavities and hydrogen-bond binding of MCs to the CG matrix. At 0.4% MCs, the composite film showed 60.11% higher tensile strength, excellent UV shielding, lower water vapor transmission rate, and strong antioxidant activity (DPPH 89.6%, ABTS 97.1), along with 58.21% biodegradation after 16 days of soil burial. In vitro release studies revealed a pH-responsive sustained release profile of CEO from the composite films, with faster release under acidic conditions (98.5% at pH 3.5 after 72 h) compared to neutral conditions (87.2% at pH 7.0), indicating the potential for targeted release on the weakly acidic grape surface. The film also exhibited significant antimicrobial effects against Botrytis cinerea, Penicillium gladioli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli. In table grape preservation, CG/MCs-0.4 film effectively delayed decay, reduced weight loss by 38.79%, maintained firmness and color, and preserved higher levels of soluble solids, titratable acidity, reducing sugars, and vitamin C compared to polyethylene packaging and untreated controls.

Microencapsulation of Cinnamon Oil for Controlled Release in Textile Fabrics

Microencapsulation has become an indispensable technique across various industries that require the controlled release and stability of bioactive agents. In this study, the encapsulation of cinnamon essential oil (CEO), known for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, was study to enable controlled release when applied to textile substrates. This procedure involves defining and examining several steps to establish a stable, scalable complex coacervation methodology. To form a stable microcapsule matrix, CEO was emulsified using a combination of surfactants (Span 80, Tween 20, and Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate). After forming micelles containing CEO, two biopolymers (chitosan and gum Arabic) were used at various proportions to form a microcapsule shell via a layer-by-layer approach. Advanced characterization techniques, such as spectrophotometry and laser scattering, were used to evaluate microcapsule stability, size, and release kinetics, as well as to assess potential antibacterial activity. The presence of oil-containing microcapsules was confirmed using fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The results demonstrate that Span 80 concentrations of 0.4 and 0.7 g/L provided the most stable encapsulation environment and enabled a controlled CEO release profile after being applied to cotton substrates. In addition, the influence of the fabric’s chemical characteristics was clearly illustrated in the drug delivery experiments. However, antibacterial efficacy was limited due to the low CEO concentration within the microcapsules, indicating the need for further optimization. These findings provide valuable insights into the broader application of essential oil encapsulation, particularly within the pharmaceutical, textile, and cosmetic sectors.

Soy Protein-Oligosaccharide Maillard Reaction Products for Synbiotic Microencapsulation: A Strategy to Enhance the Antioxidant Functionality of Soybean Powder

Influence of Gum Arabic and Maltodextrin on the Performance of Biopolymer Microencapsulation for Tithonia diversifolia Extract: Efficiency and Release Kinetics

Sustainable biopolymer-based carriers are increasingly utilized to protect phytochemicals and control their release. This study compares gum Arabic (GA) and maltodextrin (MD) as wall materials for spray-dried microencapsulation of Tithonia diversifolia leaf extract. Optimal conditions differed for each polymer: GA microcapsules at 4% w/v (90 min stirring time at pH 5) with %EE 80.3% and MD microcapsules at 0.8% w/v (90 min stirring time at pH 5) with %EE 73.9%. This efficiency was mirrored in antioxidant retention, where GA microcapsules exhibited a lower DPPH IC50 value (117.4 µg/mL) compared to MD (138.1 µg/mL). In vitro release tests demonstrated distinct pH-responsive kinetics, GA showed higher cumulative release in both simulated gastric (43%) and intestinal (96%) compared to MD in simulated gastric (30%) and intestinal (80%). SEM analysis revealed oval, slightly corrugated GA microcapsules, whereas MD microcapsules displayed semi-spherical morphologies with surface fissures. FTIR spectra confirmed stronger matrix-core interactions in GA microcapsules than in MD. These findings demonstrate that biopolymer wall material selection critically influences encapsulation efficiency, antioxidant stability, and pH-responsive release behavior. GA microcapsules is identified as the more effective and pH-responsive matrix for developing functional food or phytopharmaceutical delivery systems.

Liposomal Pentabromophenol as a Dual-Functional Nanocarrier for Antibiofilm Activity and Postharvest Grapes Shelf-Life Enhancement.

Microbial biofilms are highly resistant to conventional antibiotics, leading to persistent infection and rapid food spoilage. In this study, pentabromophenol (PBP) loaded liposomes were synthesized as a dual-functional nanocarrier for antibiofilm activity and postharvest grape preservation. The optimized formulation 3 showed lipid vesicles, strong colloidal stability, and a high encapsulation efficiency of 94%. Encapsulation significantly improved the antibiofilm activity of PBP against Staphylococcus aureus, achieving 86.9% inhibition at 0.1 µg/mL, which is fivefold higher than that of free PBP. A lipid-mixing assay confirmed concentration-dependent membrane fusion that facilitated sustained PBP release and efficient biofilm inhibition. When applied as a coating, PBP liposomes reduced microbial growth by more than 80%, maintained grape firmness, and minimized weight loss during 7 days of storage. Biocompatibility assays using Raphanus sativus and Caenorhabditis elegans demonstrated no potential toxicity. Overall, PBP liposomes offer a safe and efficient platform for controlling S. aureus and extending grape shelf life.