FABRICATION AND ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF ALLYL ISOTHIOCYANATE-LOADED CHITOSAN NANOPARTICLES FOR ENHANCED FOOD PRESERVATION

Allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) has been recognized for its potent antibacterial and antioxidant properties, positioning it as a promising agent for food preservation.However, its practical application in the food industry is significantly hindered by its high volatility and strong, unpleasant odor.To address these limitations, we utilized the multifunctional attributes of chitosan, a polysaccharide derived from chitin, to stabilize and enhance the efficacy of AITC.The abundance of amino and hydroxyl groups in chitosan chain facilitates strong interactions with AITC, thus achieving high encapsulation efficiency.Additionally, the inherent antibacterial property of chitosan synergizes with that of AITC, potentially reducing the required dose for effective microbial inhibition.In this study, AITC-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (AITC-CSNPs) were synthesized using a two-step emulsion-ionic gelation method.The characterization of the nanoparticles was performed using Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) to determine their hydrodynamic size, zeta potential, and polydispersity index, while Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) provided detailed insights into their morphology and distribution.Afterwards, the antibacterial properties of AITC-CSNPs were evaluated on prevalent food-borne pathogens.The findings indicated that the as-synthesized AITC-CSNPs possessed a spherical shape with nanosize and demonstrated satisfactory antibacterial effects, thereby presenting a viable method for extending the shelf life of perishable food products.