One-Pot Fabrication of Ginger-Waste-Derived Ionic Liquid Electrospun Films: An Efficient Preparation Strategy with Enhanced Antibacterial Functionality

In the process of ginger deep processing, a lot of waste is generated which is rich in biopolymers and active ingredients such as cellulose, starch, gingerol, and gingerol, but its low utilization rate leads to waste of resources. In this study, ginger waste residue, cellulose, and bioactive substances were spun into fiber materials by wet electrospinning technology with 1-butyl-3-methylimidazole acetate ([Bmim]Ac) as solvent. Fiber plasticization and [Bmim]Ac removal were achieved by dynamic deionized water coagulation bath. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and tensile strength analysis showed that the obtained GC-1 and GC-2 films have a non-uniform diameter, with a clear fiber structure and strong tensile strength. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed that cellulose transforms from type I to type II crystal structure, and [Bmim]Ac is effectively removed. The inhibition rate of 6-Shogaol-impregnated GC film against <i>Escherichia coli</i> and <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> was 99%. The experiment of strawberry preservation verified the potential of GC film in food preservation. In this study, the high-value utilization of ginger waste in food packaging was realized by preparing antibacterial electrospun fiber films.