Chitosan dual gel-like functionalized with flavonoid extract and cinnamaldehyde oil using dual cross-linking agents: Characterization, antioxidant, and antimicrobial effects
Mahmoud Salah, Juanying Huang, Chenyang Zhu, Mabrouk Sobhy, Mohamed A. Farag, Yajing Fang, Remah Sobhy, Noman Walayat, Ibrahim Khalifa, Sajid Maqsood, Yun Wang
Abstract
This study evaluated antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of chitosan gel (Cs-gel) functionalized with cinnamaldehyde oil (CN) and orange peel-derived flavonoid extract (Fs) using the ionic-gelation method. Results showed that the encapsulation efficiencies of CCF-9 and CCN were 83.14 ± 3.34 and 80.56 ± 1.17%, respectively. The interaction of CN or Fs on Cs-gel indicates the presence of H-bonding formation, as observed by UV–vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry (FTIR), and Raman-spectroscopy showed a good corroboration with Surflex-dock findings. Scanning electron microscopy also showed the integration that occurred between Cs and both ligands, which was further supported with X-ray diffraction and X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy spectra. The textural properties of CCF-5 gel showed high hardness, chewiness, and gumminess values, indicating that the integration of Fs and CN altered the microstructure of Cs-gel. Chotison-functionalized based gels exhibited higher antioxidant abilities against DPPH and ABTS free radicals than Cs-gel. The CCF-9 gel showed a good inhibition value of 29.91 ± 1.22 and 93.61 ± 2.12% against Penicillium expansum and Alternaria westerdijkiae , respectively. Additionally, CCF-9 inhibition zones against Staphylococcus aureus , Escherichia coli , and Bacillus cerues were 28.65 ± 0.05, 27.69 ± 0.04, and 26.16 ± 0.02 mm, respectively. These findings demonstrated the potential antioxidant and antimicrobial effects of functionalized chitosan gel indicating its potential as a bioactive additive for food preservation. • Cs-gel were used to encapsulate CN and Fs using dual cross-linkers. • Characterization of congujates gels was done by Uv–vis, FTIR, XRD, and SEM. • CCF-9 provided good antioxidant effects against DPPH and ABTS free radicals. • High entrapment efficiency of CN and Fs were 83.14 and 80.56%, respectively. • Antimirobial activity in vitro of Cs-gel were enhanced by entrabing Fs and CN.