Exploring the potential of deep eutectic solvents (DESs) for food-compatible eutectogel development: Physicochemical, antimicrobial, and antifreeze properties

• Choline chloride:glycerol at different ratios had suitable pH for food applications. • ChCl:Gly demonstrated excellent antifreeze behavior. • DESs containing AA indicated strong concentration-dependent antimicrobial activity. • Lactic acid:D-glucose at 5:1 ratio exhibited the highest antioxidant activity. • Choline chloride:glycerol was the best DES for food application. This study aims to evaluate the potential of some deep eutectic solvents (DESs) in producing eutectogels suitable for food applications. In this regard, the physicochemical properties of DESs as well as their antimicrobial and thermal properties was evaluated. The DESs had pH values between 1 to 10, with choline chloride:glycerol (ChCl:Gly) DESs showing the best pH for food applications. The viscosity was changed based on hydrogen bond strength. The highest antioxidant properties was observed in lactic acid:D-glucose (5:1) while ChCl:Gly and choline chloride:urea (ChCl:U) DESs did not DPPH radical scavenging activity. The largest inhibition zone diameter was observed with menthol:lactic acid (M:LA 1:2 ) in agar disk diffusion method. The minimum inhibitory concentration was obtained for choline chloride:citric acid (ChCl:CA 1:1 ) and ChCl:U 1:2 against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus . ChCl:Gly indicated antifreeze properties at different ratio which was confirmed with DSC results. Finally, ChCl:Gly was suggested for production of eutectogel in food applications.