Microcrystalline Cellulose-Stabilized Pickering Emulsions for Integrating Hydrophobic NADES into Agar Films:...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Food Science
• Polymer Science

Background:

• Hydrophobic active compounds are challenging to incorporate into biopolymer films.
• Natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) offer a sustainable alternative for encapsulating hydrophobic agents.
• Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) can act as a stabilizer in Pickering emulsions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop MCC-stabilized Pickering emulsions for integrating NADES into agar films.
• To investigate the effect of MCC concentration on film morphology, mechanical properties, and hydrophobicity.
• To evaluate the controlled release of menthol and antimicrobial activity of the developed films for active packaging.

Main Methods:

• Pickering emulsion stabilization using MCC.
• Fabrication of agar-based biopolymer films incorporating NADES.
• Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) for morphology analysis.
• Mechanical testing (tensile strength, elongation at break).
• Contact angle measurements for surface hydrophobicity.
• Headspace Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (HS-GC-MS) for menthol release.
• Antimicrobial activity assays.

Main Results:

• MCC concentration influenced film morphology and mechanical properties.
• Higher MCC content increased surface hydrophobicity but also moisture content and water solubility.
• Films showed temperature-dependent controlled release of menthol.
• The developed films exhibited broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity.

Conclusions:

• MCC is an effective stabilizer for incorporating hydrophobic NADES into agar films.
• These films demonstrate potential for active packaging applications due to controlled release and antimicrobial properties.