Study on the Antimicrobial Performance of Chitosan/Gelatin Composite Films Loaded with Lysozyme-Lactoferrin@Hzif-8 for Breads Preservation

Abstract

Ensuring food safety and quality has driven significant research into antimicrobial packaging films based on natural biomaterials. This study developed antimicrobial composite films by incorporating lysozyme-lactoferrin@HZIF-8 into chitosan/gelatin matrices at varying concentrations (1%, 2%, 4%, and 8%). The chitosan/gelatin loaded lysozyme-lactoferrin@HZIF-8 (LLH-CS/G) composite films were characterized using SEM, FT-IR, and contact angle measurements, among others, to evaluate their structural, mechanical, and physicochemical properties. Antimicrobial tests demonstrated that the 8% LLH-CS/G film achieved a remarkable inhibition rate of over 99.9% against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli within 3 h, while the 4% LLH-CS/G film also showed excellent antimicrobial performance with inhibition rates exceeding 99% for both bacteria. Practical application experiments revealed that these films effectively inhibited bacterial growth on bread, significantly extending its shelf life. The results highlight the potential of LLH-CS/G films for use in food preservation, particularly for breads packaging, offering an innovative approach to integrating metal-organic frameworks into food packaging applications.

Keywords: enzyme-MOF composite, CS/G film, antimicrobial, lysozyme, lactoferrin