Fabrication and characterization of long-lasting antifungal film containing cinnamaldehyde-loaded complex coacervation microcapsules based on gelatin and gum Arabic

A novel long-acting antifungal active film was successfully created, as an alternative to conventional chemical food preservatives. The antifungal films incorporated with cinnamaldehyde (CA) microcapsules achieved longlasting antifungal activity, mitigated yellowing caused by the direct addition of CA, and showed improved flexibility properties. CA multinuclear microcapsules were produced using gelatin with a Bloom value of 200 and gum Arabic, resulting in increased encapsulation efficiency (99.86 %), good dispersibility and enhanced anti- fungal ability (inhibition zone diameter of 32 mm). These microcapsules can be incorporated into films as a sustained-release antifungal agent. Compared to unencapsulated CA, the addition of 1 % CA microcapsules reduced the ultraviolet transmittance (<36.40 %) of the film while maintaining visible-light transmittance (36.40 %-65.20 %), and improving its elongation at break (23.49 %). The water vapor permeability of the film was not affected by the inclusion of CA microcapsules below 0.25 %. Moreover, microcapsules can enhance the thermal properties of the film. Antifungal films incorporated with 0.5 %-2 % microcapsules may offer better long-acting inhibition against A. brasiliensis. This study presents a new promising pathway for food storage.