Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) contamination in cheese production has received increasing attention. In order to inhibit the multiplication of the bacteria, the polyethylene oxide nanofibers containing nisin-loaded poly-gamma-glutamic acid/chitosan (NGC) nanoparticles were engineered in this study. The physicochemical properties of NGC nanoparticles and anti-listeria activities of NGC nanoparticles-embedded polyethylene oxide nanofibers on cheese were investigated. The results indicated that NGC nanoparticles at 5 mg/mL of nisin had desirable polydispersity, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency and load capacity. NGC nanoparticles-embedded polyethylene oxide nanofibers displayed satisfactory antibacterial activity against L. monocytogenes on cheese, without impact on the sensory quality. Therefore, the polyethylene oxide nanofibers containing NGC nanoparticles could be a promising active packaging for food preservation. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
