Activated release of ethyl formate vapor from its precursor encapsulated in ethyl Cellulose/Poly(Ethylene oxide) electrospun nonwovens intended for active packaging of fresh produce. (March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zaitoon, Amr; Lim, Loong-Tak; Scott-Dupree, Cynthia
• Is Part Of: Food hydrocolloids. Volume 112(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-03
• Subjects: Activated release -- Fumigation -- Ethyl formate -- Precursor -- Encapsulation -- Electrospun fiber; Hydrocolloids -- Periodicals; Food additives -- Periodicals; Colloïdes -- Périodiques; Aliments -- Additifs -- Périodiques; Colloids; Food additives; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 664.06
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foodhyd.2020.106313
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0268-005X

Abstract

Abstract: Ethyl formate (EF) is a naturally occurring insecticidal and antimicrobial volatile compound promising as an alternative to synthetic fumigants. In this work, an EF precursor (EFP) was encapsulated in free-surface electrospun ethylcellulose/poly (ethylene oxide) (EC-PEO) nonwovens and the release of EF from the precursor was evaluated using gas chromatography. The effect of EFP (up to 100% w/w, polymer content basis) on EC-PEO solution parameters and fiber morphology was studied. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that EFP particles were entrapped within the electrospun EC-PEO fibers. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy did not reveal any specific interaction between EFP and the polymers in the nonwovens. When exposed to 0.1 N citric acid (CA) solution for 2 h at 25 °C, the nonwoven loaded with 10% EFP (w/w) released 0.037 mg EF/mg nonwoven (96% of the theoretical release). The EF release decreased significantly (p < 0.05) with decreasing either the CA concentration or the temperature. Preliminary studies showed that the release of EF from the EFP-loaded nonwovens delayed the growth of spoilage microorganisms on strawberries for up to 10 days at 5 °C, suggesting the feasibility of the EFP-loaded nonwoven for active packaging applications. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Ethyl formate (EF) is a food-grade volatile with insecticidal and antimicrobial activities. EF precursor (EFP) was encapsulated within EC-PEO nonwovens. No specific interaction was detected between EFP and the nonwoven polymers. Release of EF from the encapsulated EFP was activated under mild acidic conditions. EF vapor delayed the growth of spoilage microorganisms on strawberries.