title: Thyme Oil Encapsulated in Halloysite Nanotubes for Antimicrobial Packaging System.
abstract: An antimicrobial capsule releasing thyme oil was developed using modified halloysite nanotubes (HNTs). In order to increase the pore volume, HNTs were treated with 5.0 mol/L NaOH solution, which resulted in the encapsulation of more thyme oil molecules inside the HNTs. The morphology of the raw HNTs and NaOH-treated HNTs (N-HNTs) was characterized using transmission electron microscopy and nitrogen adsorption-desorption analysis. The loading capacity increased from 180.7 ± 12.7 to 256.4 ± 16.7 mg thyme oil/g HNT after the NaOH treatment. The aerial release characteristics of thyme oil from both the HNT capsules were investigated in a closed-package atmosphere system at 4, 25, and 40 °C. The antimicrobial activity of the capsule against Escherichia coli O157:H7 was determined using the vapor phase assay. Moreover, the antimicrobial effects of the capsule against E. coli O157:H7, total mesophilic aerobic bacteria (MAB), and molds and yeasts (MY) on the surfaces of cherry tomatoes were investigated at 4 and 25 °C for 5 d. When the cherry tomatoes were exposed to the thyme oil-loaded N-HNT capsule, the number of E. coli O157:H7, MAB, and MY significantly reduced during storage.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea Univ., 5-Ka, Anam-Dong, SungBuk-Ku, Seoul, 136-701, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Min Hyeock
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea Univ., 5-Ka, Anam-Dong, SungBuk-Ku, Seoul, 136-701, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hyun-Sun
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Seo
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea Univ., 5-Ka, Anam-Dong, SungBuk-Ku, Seoul, 136-701, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hyun Jin
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Park
mesh_terms: D000538:Aluminum Silicates / Q000737:chemistry; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D000077215:Clay; D004339:Drug Compounding; D019453:Escherichia coli O157 / Q000187:drug effects; D018857:Food Packaging; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D043942:Nanotubes / Q000737:chemistry*; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000737:chemistry*; D013818:Thermogravimetry; D046930:Thymus Plant / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000538:Aluminum Silicates; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D010938:Plant Oils; D000077215:Clay
keywords: antimicrobial capsule; fresh produce; halloysite nanotube; thyme oil