PVA/chitosan electrospun nanofiber membranes loaded with cyclodextrin-encapsulated Scutellaria baicalensis extract for grape preservation

Abstract Extracts from untreated and cold atmospheric plasma (CAP)-pretreated Scutellaria baicalensis were complexed with hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) and incorporated into poly(vinyl alcohol)/chitosan (PVA/CS) electrospun nanofiber membranes for grape preservation. 1 H NMR supported host–guest inclusion, whereas FTIR and XRD indicated physical embedding and intermolecular interactions within the nanofiber matrix. Inclusion-complex incorporation altered spinning-solution properties, generally shifted fiber-diameter distributions toward smaller values, improved UV-visible light shielding, and caused no apparent deterioration in thermal behavior. DPPH radical-scavenging activity increased from 6.53 % for PVA/CS to 79.38 % for the membrane containing 3 % CAP/ICs. The composite membranes also inhibited Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli . After 8 days at 25 °C, wrapped grapes showed lower weight loss, better firmness retention, smaller changes in total soluble solids and peel color, and less shriveling than the unwrapped control. These membranes show potential as active inner layers or preservation inserts for fresh-grape packaging.