Performance and Application of Quaternary Cellulose Nanofiber-Based Antimicrobial Preservation Systems for Hairtail

To extend the shelf life of hairtail in a safe and effective manner, antimicrobial preservation systems were developed by incorporating a clove essential oil-tea polyphenol (ET) composite into quaternary ammonium cellulose nanofibers (Q-CNFs). The performance of films prepared from the antimicrobial preservation solutions, as well as their effects on the microbiological and physicochemical quality of hairtail during refrigerated storage, was systematically evaluated. Compared with the pure CNF film (CNF0.1), the incorporation of ET improved the compactness of the film (ET/CNF0.1), increased the tensile strength by 78.9%, and reduced the oxygen transmission rate from 3.085 to 0.914 cm³/(m²·d). A pronounced synergistic antimicrobial effect between ET and Q-CNF was observed. Preservation experiments showed that higher Q-CNF concentrations resulted in lower total viable count (TVC), total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), thiobarbituric acid (TBA) values, and pH during storage. On Day 6, the optimal treatment reduced TVC from 6.141 to 2.987 log(CFU/g), decreased TVB-N from 29.12 to 11.66 mg/100 g, and lowered TBA from 1.31 to 0.33 mg/100 g. The shelf life of hairtail was extended by 6 days. These results indicate that Q-CNF-based antimicrobial systems are promising candidates for active food packaging owing to their excellent oxygen barrier properties and antimicrobial activities. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: This study presents a Q-CNF-based composite antimicrobial coating for the refrigerated preservation of hairtail and similar marine fish. Composed of safe and natural ingredients, the coating effectively inhibits microbial growth and lipid oxidation, thereby extending the shelf life while maintaining product quality. This approach provides a green and sustainable preservation strategy with potential applications in marine fish cold-chain logistics.