Fabrication of active packaging using eucalyptus and peppermint essential oil by electrospinning technique: study the characterization and antibacterial properties

The purpose of this research is to strengthen the antimicrobial properties of active nanofibers containing eucalyptus essential oil by using different concentrations of peppermint essential oil for use as active packaging. Nanofibers containing a mixture of eucalyptus essential oil (10%) and peppermint essential oil (concentrations of 0, 2.5, 5, 10% (v/v)) were produced. SEM and Image-J results showed that the loading of essential oil increased the diameter of electrospun fibers from 200 to 400 nm. SEM images showed that the morphology of electrospun fibers is tubular. XRD was used to study the physical structure of electrospun fibers and XRD diffractograms show that adding essential oil to zein did not change the crystalline structure of zein. TGA thermograms showed that the loading of essential oil increased the thermal stability of electrospun fibers. FTIR spectrum shows the interaction between electrospun fibers and the essential oil. Antibacterial test was done by disc diffusion method and the results showed that the fibrous coating containing essential oil prevented the growth of staphylococcus aureus and escherichia coli. According to the results of this research, fibers containing a mixture of eucalyptus and peppermint essential oils can be considered as an active packaging for use in packaging different food products such as cheese, meat and some other food products.