Characterisation and cooperative antimicrobial properties of chitosan/nano-ZnO composite nanofibrous membranes

► Chitosan and nano-ZnO were combined in nanofibrous membranes by electrospinning method for the first time. ► CdTe QDs coupled with Candida albicans were used for rapid fluorescence detection of antimicrobial agents. ► Chitosan/nano-ZnO nanofibrous membranes could be used as novel antimicrobial packaging in foods.