Functionalized nanoencapsulated Curcuma longa essential oil in chitosan nanopolymer and their application for antioxidant and antimicrobial efficacy

The present study reports on the encapsulation of Curcuma longa (L.) essential oil (CLEO) in chitosan nanopolymer as a novel nanotechnology preservative for enhancing its antibacterial, antifungal, and mycotoxin inhibitory efficacy. GC-MS analysis of CLEO showed the presence of alpha-turmerone (42.6 %) and beta- turmerone (14.0 %) as the major components. CLEO-CSNPs were prepared through the ionic-gelation technique and confirmed by TEM micrograph, DLS, XRD, and FTIR. In vitro, bactericidal activity of CLEO-CSNPs at a concentration of 100 mu g/mL showed significant antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which mostly rely on ROS production and depend on its penetration and interaction with bacterial cells. Furthermore, the CLEO-CSNPs during in vitro investigation against F. graminearum completely inhibited the growth and zearalenone and deoxynivalenol production at 0.75 mu L/mL, respectively. Further, CLEO-CSNPs enhanced antioxidant activity against DPPH center dot and ABTS center dot+ with IC50 values 0.95 and 0.66 mu L/mL, respectively, and without any negative impacts on germinating seeds were observed during the phytotoxicity investigation. Overall, experiments concluded that encapsulated CLEO enhances antimicrobial inhibitory efficiency against stored foodborne pathogens.

Automated summary

This study developed CLEO-CSNPs by encapsulating Curcuma longa essential oil in chitosan nanopolymer. The encapsulated CLEO exhibited enhanced antibacterial, antifungal, and mycotoxin inhibitory efficacy. In vitro experiments demonstrated significant antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, as well as complete inhibition of F. graminearum growth and mycotoxin production. Additionally, the encapsulated CLEO showed improved antioxidant activity and no phytotoxicity effects on germinating seeds.