Nanostructured electrospun packaging incorporating functionalized emulsions with Mentha piperita L. essential oil: Study and application

This study focused on the development of electrospun PVA-based nanofibers loaded with chitosan-stabilized Pickering emulsions containing encapsulated Mentha piperita L. essential oil. The Pickering emulsions were characterized by zeta potential, particle diameter and physical stability, whereas mat-forming solutions, prepared with different PVA:emulsion ratios, were evaluated for their rheological properties and electrospinnability. These PVA:emulsion ratios influenced fiber diameter, mechanical properties, and water resistance.Controlled release was modeled in ethanol:water media with different polarities, which affected the release profile of the essential oil. Mats loaded with Mentha piperit a L. essential oil demonstrated good antimicrobial properties against S. aureus , both in vitro and when applied to a ham-based food model, supported by ATR-FTIR studies.These results suggest that mats loaded with Mentha piperita L. may serve as promising candidates for antimicrobial food packaging applications.