Electrospun Fibrous Materials with Propolis Extracts for Edible Food Packagings
Molecules 2023
Zane Zelča, Remo Merijs-Meri, Andres Krumme, Aina Bernava

In this study, propolis additives provide antibacterial and antifungal effects that prolong the product’s shelf life. The aim of the study is to obtain homogeneous fiber membranes of polyvinyl alcohol and propolis by the electrospinning method and to evaluate their suitability for food packaging. Three propolis extracts are used in the study—water, ethyl alcohol, and glycerin-based. The membranes’ morphology and fiber diameter distribution, tensile deformation, air permeability, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and microbiological tests (Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella enteritidis, Escherichia coli) were analyzed for electrospun samples. The results of the study show that propolis extracts are incorporated into membranes and the additive provides an antimicrobial effect with the contact surface. The obtained membranes are breathable: gas exchange can be controlled by using a material of appropriate thickness (air permeability coefficient is 0.046 and 0.276 mm/s). The mechanical properties of membranes are affected by moisture, but tensile strength can be improved with thermal post-processing at 100 °C. The propolis-containing fibers’ diameters are from 293 ± 8 to 664 ± 11 nm. Depending on membranes’ demonstrated properties, it can be concluded that the composites have the potential to increase the shelf life of fresh fruits and berries.


Keywords
electrospinning; nano and micro fibers; propolis; polyvinyl alcohol; food packaging
DOI
10.3390/molecules28145497
Hyperlink
https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/28/14/5497

Zelča, Z., Merijs-Meri, R., Krumme, A., Bernava, A. Electrospun Fibrous Materials with Propolis Extracts for Edible Food Packagings. Molecules, 2023, Vol. 28, No. 14, Article number 5497. e-ISSN 1420-3049. Pieejams: doi:10.3390/molecules28145497

Publication language
English (en)
The Scientific Library of the Riga Technical University.
E-mail: uzzinas@rtu.lv; Phone: +371 28399196