Characterization and Functional Properties of Chitosan Nanoparticles Loaded With Laurel Essential Oil Produced by Electrospraying Method

In this study, chitosan nanoparticles loaded with laurel essential oil (Laurus nobilis L.) were produced using the electrospraying method, and the effects of various process parameters were investigated. The morphological, chemical, thermal, and antioxidant properties of the nanoparticles were comprehensively characterized. The addition of laurel essential oil to the solutions resulted in a decrease in electrical conductivity and an increase in viscosity, which led to an increase in particle diameters. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM) images revealed that the particle morphologies were spherical, with average diameters between 105 and 155 nm. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analyses confirmed the physical encapsulation of laurel essential oil within the chitosan matrix, while thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analyses revealed an increase in the thermal stability of the laurel essential oil-loaded nanoparticles. In antioxidant activity analyses, 75% essential oil-loaded nanoparticles exhibited significantly higher DPPH (2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) (6394.34 mu mol TE/g dm) and ABTS (2,2 '-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)) (7289.87 mu mol TE/g dm) radical scavenging capacities compared to the blank nanoparticles (p < 0.05). The phenolic content also increased proportionally with the essential oil concentration. In conclusion, this study demonstrated the successful encapsulation of laurel essential oil within chitosan nanoparticles. Thus, these findings support potential applications as food preservatives.