Effects of zein stabilized clove essential oil Pickering emulsion on the structure and properties of chitosan-based edible films.

Clove essential oil (CLO) Pickering emulsions were prepared with zein colloid particles as stabilizer, and the effects of CLO Pickering emulsion incorporation on the structure, mechanical, barrier and antimicrobial properties of chitosan-based edible films were explored. CLO Pickering emulsions with 3% w/v zein and 50% v/v CLO had smaller particle size and more even distribution. Incorporation of CLO Pickering emulsion in the films decreased the water vapor permeability and tensile strength, but the elongation at break firstly increased then decreased with the maximum value of 19.2% when the content of emulsion was 0.4%. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the formation of microstructure-sized holes in the films by the addition of CLO Pickering emulsion. The emulsified oil droplets were uniformly distributed, due to the good compatibility between oil phase and chitosan matrix. The antimicrobial properties of the films were strengthened by CLO Pickering emulsion incorporation and mainly depended on its concentration.