Reinforced ZnONPs/ rosemary essential oil-incorporated zein electrospun nanofibers by κ-carrageenan

In this study, the reinforced ZnONPs/ rosemary essential oil-incorporated zein nanofibers with κ-carrageenan (Z/KC/ZnONPs/RE) were fabricated using the electrospinning technique for application in food packaging. The SEM images of Z/KC/ZnONPs/RE nanofiber displayed bead-free homogeneous morphology that its average fiber diameter was 672 ± 240 nm. The formation of new hydrogen bonds by addition of κ-carrageenan and active agents was approved by FT-IR and DSC structural conformations. The Z/KC/ZnONPs/RE nanofiber exhibited satisfactory thermal and mechanical properties, as well as high surface hydrophobicity. In addition, the Z/KC/ZnONPs/RE sample showed inhibition activity against S. aureus (18.5 ± 1.9 mm) and E. coli (14.7 ± 1.5 mm) bacteria. The DPPH scavenging activity of Z/KC/ZnONPs/RE nanofiber was 54.5 ± 3.6 %. Additionally, the fabricated nanofibers showed no cell cytotoxicity, indicating their good biocompatibility. Thus, we believe that the fabricated Z/KC/ZnONPs/RE electrospun nanofiber is a potential candidate for using as an active layer in food packaging system.