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Updated: May 15, 2025
Preparation of Biopolymer Aerogels Using Green Solvents
Published on: July 4, 2016
Preparation and application of thyme essential oil@halloysite nanotubes-loaded multifunctional pullulan/gelatin/PVA
Mingke Ding1, Weijie Wu1, Ruiling Liu1
1Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Intelligent Food Logistic and Processing, Key Laboratory of Post-Harvest Handling of Fruits, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Postharvest Preservation and Processing of Vegetables (Co-construction by Ministry and Province), Key Laboratory of Postharvest Preservation and Processing of Fruits and Vegetables, China National Light Industry, Food Science Institute, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China.
Abstract:
Blueberries are susceptible to microbial contamination and mechanical damage after harvesting, thereby accelerating their quality deterioration. Therefore, in the present work, thyme essential oil@halloysite nanotubes (TEO@HNTs)-loaded pullulan/gelatin/PVA (PGP) aerogels with antimicrobial activities and cushioning properties were developed to address these issues. The results showed that TEO achieved a 91.1 % encapsulation efficiency in HNTs and hydrogen bonding interactions were formed between TEO and HNTs. TEO@HNTs improved the crystallinity, thermal stability, compression properties, and surface hydrophobicity of the PGP aerogels. The TEO@HNTs-loaded aerogels exhibited a sustained release of TEO and antimicrobial activity against E. coli (inhibition zone of 13.92 mm), S. aureus (inhibition zone of 16.55 mm), and B. cinerea. Moreover, the aerogels offered good cushioning for blueberries when subjected to mechanical impact, thus maintaining their quality during storage. In addition, cell cytotoxicity analysis showed that cell viability exceeded 94 %, indicating the excellent biocompatibility of the TEO@HNTs-loaded aerogels. The above results suggested promising prospects for the development of a multifunctional aerogel to maintain the quality of food products, such as blueberries, which are susceptible to microbial contamination and mechanical damage.
