Nanophytosomal encapsulation of Nepeta pogonosperma L. essential oils for sustained release in electrospun nanofibers

This study addresses the growing need for sustainable food packaging by developing a sustained-release system based on electrospun Salep mucilage (SA MU )/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofibers loaded with nanophytosomal (NP H ) Nepeta pogonosperma L. essential oil (N EO ). The study aims to enhance the bioavailability and stability of N EO for food packaging applications. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis revealed that 1,8-Cineole (28.21%) and 4aα-7α-7aα-Nepetalactone (13.49%) were the main compounds of N EO . The N EO was identified as the most cytotoxic agent, affecting human colon cancer (HT-29) cells at 60 mg/L, while remaining non-toxic to normal human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) even at the high concentration. The NP H -N EO had small particle diameter (105.74 nm), limited range of polydispersity index (PDI) (0.243), negative zeta potential (−12.51 mV), considerable encapsulation efficiency (90.33%), remarkable thermodynamic stability against phase separation and spherical structure confirmed by field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM). Structural evaluation (differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR)) confirmed the inclusion of NP H -N EO in the electrospun pad structure. The electrospun pads enabled localized and sustained N EO release in aqueous, ethanolic, and oily media, while maintaining antioxidant and antibacterial activity over 90 days. These findings indicate that NP H -N EO -loaded SA MU /PVA electrospun pad are a promising platform for active, multi-stage release food packaging, offering enhanced stability, bioactivity, and potential to improve food safety and shelf life.