Release behavior of natural antimicrobial agents with lignin nanoparticles from Poly(butylene succinate) films in vapor phase application

Polybutylene succinate (PBS) film containing spherical lignin nanoparticles (LNP) and natural agents (NA) such as vanillin (VAN), trans-cinnamaldehyde (CIN), and citral (CIT) was produced via blown film extrusion. The effect of the substance on controlled release qualities and inhibitory action against tropical fruit diseases in the vapor phase was investigated. Solvent extraction results revealed that PBS/LNP/NA composite films have a greater remaining content of each active agent than PBS/NA films. The morphology, mechanical properties, and barrier properties of the PBS/LNP/NA composite films were influenced by the lignin and natural agents. The release behavior of natural agents released into the headspace was appropriately described by mathematical models, with diffusion mainly dependent on NA concentration. According to the diffusion coefficient, PBS/LNP/ NA films have a slow and steady constant release into a food matrix. Trans-cinnamaldehyde exhibited the fastest migration, followed by vanillin and citral, with diffusion coefficients ranging from 10-9 to 10-13 m2/s. Furthermore, the composite films were found to exhibit improved antifungal efficacy against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides in the vapor phase. The results show that the biodegradable PBS/LNP/NA film could potentially be used as active packaging to extend the shelf life of tropical fruits.