Antifungal and physicochemical properties of Ocimum essential oil loaded in poly(lactic acid) nanofibers. (1st May 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Brandão, Rafaela Magalhães; Cardoso, Maria das Graças; Batista, Luís Roberto; Caetano, Alex Rodrigues Silva; Lemos, Ana Carolina Cortez; Martins, Maria Alice; Nelson, David Lee; De Oliveira, Juliano Elvis
• Is Part Of: Letters in applied microbiology. Volume 74:Number 5(2022)
• Page Start: 765
• Page End: 776
• Publication Date: 2022-05-01
• Subjects: Aspergillus ochraceus -- Aspergillus westerdijkiae -- Ocimum basilicum -- Ocimum gratissimum ochratoxin A -- solution blow spinning; Microbiology -- Periodicals; 660.62
• DOI: 10.1111/lam.13661
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0266-8254

Abstract

Abstract: Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) nanofibres containing different proportions of the essential oils from Ocimum basilicum L. and Ocimum gratissimum L. were prepared by solution blow spinning method. The essential oils were extracted by hydrodistillation and characterized by gas chromatography. MEV, contact angle, DSC and FTIR were used to characterize the nanofibres. The effect of bioative nanofibres on the growth of the fungus and on the production of ochratoxin A were evaluated using the fumigation test. Linalool, 1·8‐cineole and camphor were the principal components of the essential oil from O. basilicum, and eugenol was the principal constituent in the oil from O. gratissimum . An increase in the average diameter of the nanofibres was observed with the addition of the essential oils. The essential oils acted as a plasticizer, resulting in a reduction in the crystallinity of the PLA. The encapsulation of essential oils in PLA nanofibres was verified by FTIR. An effective antifungal and antimicotoxygenic activity against Aspergillus ochraceus and Aspergillus westerdjikiae was observed for the bioative nanofibres. These results confirm the potential of PLA nanofibres containing the essential oils for the control of toxigenic fungi that cause the deterioration of food and are harmful to human health. Abstract: Significance and Impact of the Study: The continuous and improper application of synthetic fungicides can favour the selection of resistant OTA‐producing fungi, and it can result in the induction of the biosynthesis of this toxic substance. In addition, it can cause adverse health effects for consumers. Essential oils are chemically safe and acceptable to consumers. The essential oils from Ocimum basilicum and Ocimum gratissimum encapsulated in lactic polyacid nanofibres hold promise for the control of fungal contamination and the inhibition of the production of ochratoxin A (OTA).