title: Chitosan films incorporated with nettle (Urtica dioica L.) extract-loaded nanoliposomes: I. Physicochemical characterisation and antimicrobial properties.
abstract: The objective of this study was to characterise and compare physical, mechanical and antimicrobial properties of chitosan-based films, containing free or nanoencapsulated nettle (Urtica dioica L.) extract (NE) at concentrations of 0, 0.5, 1 and 1.5% w/w. Nanoliposomes were prepared using soy-lecithin by thin-film hydration and sonication method to generate an average size of 107-136 nm with 70% encapsulation efficiency. The information on FT-IR reflected that some new interaction have occurred between chitosan and nanoliposomes. Despite the increasing yellowness and decreasing whiteness indexes, the nanoliposomes incorporation improved the thermal properties and mechanical stiffness and caused to decrease water vapour permeability (WVP), moisture uptake and water solubility. The possible antimicrobial activity of the films containing NE-loaded nanoliposomes against Staphylococcus aureus was decreased in comparison to free NE-incorporated films, which could be due to the inhibition effect of the encapsulation that prevents the release of NE from the matrix.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Food Science & Technology, Faculty of Agriculture , Urmia University , Urmia , Iran.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Haghju
authors.affiliation: a Department of Food Science & Technology, Faculty of Agriculture , Urmia University , Urmia , Iran.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Beigzadeh
authors.affiliation: a Department of Food Science & Technology, Faculty of Agriculture , Urmia University , Urmia , Iran.
authors.forename: Hadi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Almasi
authors.affiliation: b Drug Applied Research Center , Tabriz University of Medical Science , Tabriz , Iran.
authors.forename: Hamed
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hamishehkar
keywords: Chitosan film; antimicrobial activity; nanoliposome; nettle extract