Improving anti-listeria activity of cheese packaging via nanofiber containing nisin-loaded nanoparticles

- NGC nanoparticles showed the high anti-listeria activity.
- Nanofibers containing NGC nanoparticles improved anti-listeria activity on cheese.
- The anti-listeria nanofibers have no impact on the sensory quality.

Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) contamination in cheese production has received increasing attention. In order to inhibit the multiplication of the bacteria, the polyethylene oxide nanofibers containing nisin-loaded poly-γ-glutamic acid/chitosan (NGC) nanoparticles were engineered in this study. The physicochemical properties of NGC nanoparticles and anti-listeria activities of NGC nanoparticles-embedded polyethylene oxide nanofibers on cheese were investigated. The results indicated that NGC nanoparticles at 5 mg/mL of nisin had desirable polydispersity, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency and load capacity. NGC nanoparticles-embedded polyethylene oxide nanofibers displayed satisfactory antibacterial activity against L. monocytogenes on cheese, without impact on the sensory quality. Therefore, the polyethylene oxide nanofibers containing NGC nanoparticles could be a promising active packaging for food preservation.