Encapsulation of Cymbopogon khasiana x Cymbopogon pendulus Essential Oil (CKP-25) in Chitosan Nanoemulsion as a Green and Novel Strategy for Mitigation of Fungal Association and Aflatoxin B1 Contamination in Food System

The present study deals with the encapsulation of Cymbopogon khasiana x Cymbopogon pendulus essential oil (CKP-25-EO) into a chitosan nanoemulsion and efficacy assessment for inhibition of fungal inhabitation and aflatoxin B-1 (AFB(1)) contamination in Syzygium cumini seeds with emphasis on cellular and molecular mechanism of action. DLS, AFM, SEM, FTIR, and XRD analyses revealed the encapsulation of CKP-25-EO in chitosan with controlled delivery. The CKP-25-Ne displayed enhanced antifungal (0.08 mu L/mL), antiaflatoxigenic (0.07 mu L/mL), and antioxidant activities (IC50 DPPH = 6.94 mu L/mL, IC50 ABTS = 5.40 mu L/mL) in comparison to the free EO. Impediment in cellular ergosterol, methylglyoxal biosynthesis, and in silico molecular modeling of CKP-25-Ne validated the cellular and molecular mechanism of antifungal and antiaflatoxigenic activity. The CKP-25-Ne showed in situ efficacy for inhibition of lipid peroxidation and AFB(1) secretion in stored S. cumini seeds without altering the sensory profile. Moreover, the higher mammalian safety profile strengthens the application of CKP-25-Ne as a safe green nano-preservative against fungal association, and hazardous AFB(1) contamination in food, agriculture, and pharmaceutical industries.

Automated summary

This study focuses on encapsulating CKP-25-EO into a chitosan nanoemulsion and evaluating its efficacy in inhibiting fungal inhabitation and AFB(1) contamination in Syzygium cumini seeds. The results show that CKP-25-Ne displays enhanced antifungal, antiaflatoxigenic, and antioxidant activities compared to free EO. Cellular and molecular mechanism studies validate the antifungal and antiaflatoxigenic activity of CKP-25-Ne. Additionally, CKP-25-Ne demonstrates in situ efficacy in inhibiting lipid peroxidation and AFB(1) secretion without altering sensory profiles, making it a safe green nano-preservative for food, agriculture, and pharmaceutical industries.