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Challenges in Nanofiber Formation from NADES-Based Anthocyanin Extracts: A Physicochemical Perspective
Paulina Wróbel1, Katarzyna Latacz2, Jacek Chęcmanowski3
1Department of Engineering and Technology of Chemical Processes, Faculty of Chemistry, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Gdanska 7/9, 50-344 Wroclaw, Poland.
Materials (Basel, Switzerland)
|October 16, 2025
Summary
Natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) offer higher anthocyanin yields for freshness indicators but hinder electrospinning. Ethanol extracts yield fewer anthocyanins but successfully form nanofibers for pH-responsive smart packaging.
Area of Science:
- Food Science
- Materials Science
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Anthocyanins from natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) show promise for biodegradable freshness indicators.
- Electrospinning is a key technique for creating nanofiber-based sensors.
- Challenges exist in integrating NADES extracts into electrospun materials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the electrospinning of anthocyanin-rich NADES extracts for freshness indicators.
- To compare NADES extraction efficiency with traditional ethanol-water methods.
- To evaluate the performance of resulting materials as smart packaging.
Main Methods:
- Extraction of red cabbage anthocyanins using choline chloride-based NADES with citric or lactic acid, modified with ethanol.
- Comparison of NADES extracts with standard 50% ethanol-water extracts.
- Electrospinning of extracts using a poly(ethylene oxide) and sodium alginate blend.
- Storage tests to assess the functionality of indicators.
Main Results:
- NADES extraction yielded significantly higher anthocyanins (approx. 0.312 mg/mL) compared to ethanol (approx. 0.014 mg/mL).
- NADES extracts could not be electrospun into nanofibers due to high viscosity and low volatility.
- Ethanol extracts formed smooth nanofibers (approx. 100 nm diameter) that acted as pH-responsive indicators.
- Alginate films with NADES extract showed no color change during storage tests.
Conclusions:
- A trade-off exists between NADES for high anthocyanin recovery and electrospinning feasibility.
- NADES extracts require alternative stabilization methods like hybrid systems for smart packaging applications.
- Ethanol-based nanofibers demonstrate effective pH-sensing for food freshness indication, highlighting the need for balanced stability and sensitivity.
