Development and characterization of active chitosan/olibanum packaging films with lavender nanoemulsion and TiO₂ for...

Chitosan/olibanum gum (CH/OG) bio-nanocomposite films containing nanoemulsified lavender essential oil (NLEO, 0.5% and 1% v/v) and TiO₂ nanoparticles (0.1% and 0.2% w/w) were developed and applied as active packaging for silver carp fillets. Their physicomechanical properties, barrier performance, and impact on fish quality during 12 days of refrigerated storage were evaluated. The film containing 0.2% TiO₂ and 1% NLEO (T_0.2/L₁) showed the most favorable performance, with low water vapor permeability (0.53 × 10⁻⁸ g m⁻¹ h⁻¹ Pa⁻¹), enhanced tensile strength (42.5 MPa), and delayed microbial growth by 2.1 log CFU/g at day 12. Lipid oxidation (TBA) and volatile nitrogen (TVB-N) levels remained below 0.72 mg MDA/kg and 12.4 mg N/100 g, respectively, while sensory attributes (odor, color, and overall acceptability) stayed above the acceptability threshold (score 5) for up to 9 days. These results demonstrate that CH/OG films incorporating NLEO and TiO₂, particularly T_0.2/L₁, can improve fish quality and extend shelf life, though further validation under industrial production and cost-effectiveness scenarios is warranted.