Ecofriendly antimicrobial Acalypha indica leaf extract immobilized polycaprolactone nanofibrous mat for food package applications

摘要

A novel antimicrobial food package material was designed by immobilization of medicinalplant Acalypha indica leaf extract on the polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofibrousmats which prevent the food materials from microbial contamination. The morphologyof prepared mats was characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM) images.The loading of plant extract onto the PCL nanofibrous mats was confirmed byXRD spectrum. The porosity percentage of the prepared electrospun PCL nanofibrousmats has been found from SEM image using ImageJ software. The A. indicaextract immobilized PCL nanofibrous mats were analyzed for its thermal stability andanti-bacterialactivity. The immobilized nanofibrous mats were tested with food samples(carrot pieces) inoculated in bacterial culture in order to check for their microbialinhibitory effect and monitored its shelf life period. The results of the work declarethat the A. indica leaf extract immobilized electrospun PCL nanofibrous mat act as aneffective antimicrobial food package material.