The research team published a paper entitled "Multifunctional packaging film with sustained release behavior triggered by pH microenvironment for efficient preservation of pork ", the first author of the paper is Wenze Wang, corresponding author is Professor Wang Jianlong, the first author is from Northwest A&F University.

To tackle microbial contamination and spoilage during pork storage, transportation, and sales, a novel packaging film with exogenously driven controlled release behavior was designed through the demand-directed preparation of the emulsion of shellac-encapsulated cinnamaldehyde nano-capsules (SNCs) and the ingenious integration of chitosan (CS) film matrix. The SNCs were synthesized using the solvent exchange method, allowing controlled release of cinnamaldehyde (CA) in response to volatile alkaline substances present in the meat. The electrostatic interaction between SNCs and CS molecules improved the thermal stability, water resistance, tensile strength, and viscosity of the film-forming solution, while the CA in SNCs enhanced UV resistance and antimicrobial properties of the film. Notably, the CS film with SNC-100 loaded (CSNCs-100 film) achieved 99% inhibition against both E. coli and S. aureus, used in pork preservation applications to effectively reduce microbial contamination and spoilage caused by moisture loss, successfully extending the shelf life of pork by an impressive six days. This innovative CSNCs film represents a promising advancement in the realm of functional packaging, providing a novel and controlled release approach for bacteriostatic substances, thereby contributing to safer and more effective food preservation techniques.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2023.138007