Facile Fabrication of Nanoformulated Cinnamomum glaucescens Essential Oil as a Novel Green Strategy to Boost Potency Against Food Borne Fungi, Aflatoxin Synthesis, and Lipid Oxidation

The study presents chitosan nanoemulsion encapsulating Cinnamomum glaucescens essential oil (CGEO) as a novel green preservative against food born fungi and aflatoxin B-1 production in food system. GC-MS analysis suggested 1,8-cineole (46.56%), safrole (17.64%) as major and terpineol (5.88%), 4-terpineol (4.68%), beta-pinene (2.08%), beta-thujene (2.03%), and linalool (2.02%) as minor components of CGEO. SEM, FTIR, and XRD analysis confirmed the successful encapsulation of CGEO in chitosan biopolymer (CGEO-Nm). Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) of CGEO-Nm showed improved thermal stability of encapsulated CGEO in comparison to unencapsulated CGEO. Encapsulation remarkably improved antifungal and antiaflatoxigenic efficacy of CGEO-Nm (minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) = 0.9 mu L/mL and MAIC = 0.8 mu L/mL) in comparison to unencapsulated CGEO (MIC = 1.50 mu L/mL and MAIC = 1.25 mu L/mL). Impairment in ergosterol biosynthesis, leakage of vital cellular ions, as well as 260 nm (DNA and RNA) and 280 nm (protein) absorbing materials confirmed cell membrane as antifungal target site for CGEO-Nm. Reduction in methylglyoxal level suggested novel antiaflatoxigenic mechanism of action. The investigation showed enhanced antioxidant potency of CGEO after encapsulation (IC50 value 5.15 mu L/mL and 10.45 mu L/mL, respectively, for ABTS and DPPH assays). Furthermore, CGEO-Nm was also found to have remarkable in vivo efficacy as it inhibited lipid peroxidation and mineral loss in black cumin seeds without altering its sensorial attributes. CGEO-Nm also revealed mammalian safety (LD50 = 9132.642 mg/kg) as determined through acute oral toxicity assay. Thus, the findings recommend the applicability of CGEO-Nm as novel green preservative to enhance the shelf life of food commodities along with the maintenance of nutritional characteristics.

Automated summary

The study introduces chitosan nanoemulsion encapsulating CGEO as a novel green preservative against food fungi and aflatoxin B-1 production. GC-MS analysis identified key components of CGEO, while SEM, FTIR, and XRD analysis confirmed successful encapsulation. Encapsulation enhanced antifungal and antioxidant efficacy, displayed in vivo efficacy, and demonstrated mammalian safety through acute oral toxicity assay.