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    Bioactive Electrospun Fibers of Poly(epsilon-Caprolactone) Incorporating alpha-Tocopherol for Food Packaging Applications

    Year: 2021

    Journal: Molecules, Volume 26, SEP

    Authors: Dumitriu, Raluca P.; Stoleru, Elena; Mitchell, Geoffrey R.; Vasile, Cornelia; Brebu, Mihai

    Organizations: Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digitization, CNCS/CCCDI-UEFISCDI, within PNCDI III [PN-III-P1-1.1-PD-2019-1101, PD 31/2020]; European Community through an STSM [FA0904]

    Keywords: electrospun fibers; hydrophobic coating; rheology; food simulant migration; food spoilage

    Antioxidant activity is an important feature for food contact materials such as packaging, aiming to preserve freshness and retard food spoilage. Common bioactive agents are highly susceptible to various forms of degradation; therefore, protection is required to maintain functionality and bioavailability. Poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL), a biodegradable GRAS labeled polymer, was used in this study for encapsulation of alpha-tocopherol antioxidant, a major component of vitamin E, in the form of electrospun fibers. Rheological properties of the fiber forming solutions, which determine the electrospinning behavior, were correlated with the properties of electrospun fibers, e.g., morphology and surface properties. Interactions through hydrogen bonds were evidenced between the two components. These have strong effect on structuration of macromolecular chains, especially at low alpha-tocopherol amounts, decreasing viscosity and elastic modulus. Intra-molecular interactions in PCL strengthen at high alpha-tocopherol amounts due to decreased solvation, allowing good structural recovery after cease of mechanical stress. Morphologically homogeneous electrospun fibers were obtained, with similar to 6 mu m average diameter. The obtained fibers were highly hydrophobic, with fast release in 95% ethanol as alternative simulant for fatty foods. This induced good in vitro antioxidant activity and significant in vivo reduction of microbial growth on cheese, as determined by respirometry. Therefore, the electrospun fibers from PCL entrapping alpha-tocopherol as bioactive agent showed potential use in food packaging materials.
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