Highly absorbent antibacterial chitosan-based aerogels for shelf-life extension of fresh pork

In this study, the CS-DAS aerogels were prepared using chitosan (CS) crosslinked by dialdehyde starch (DAS), with the best absorption and mechanical properties at the weight ratio of CS to DAS being 7:3. The copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) were first prepared by green reduction method, then encapsulated by liposomes (Lip-CuNPs) for controlling their sudden release. The antibacterial aerogels (CD/Lip-CuNPs) were developed by incorporating the Lip-CuNPs into the aerogel (7:3). The porous network structure of aerogels realized the further gradual release of CuNPs. The CD/Lip-CuNPs aerogels had good antimicrobial properties, which could preserve fresh pork for 14 d at 4 °C without spoilage. Moreover, the CuNPs migrated from the aerogels into fresh pork was at a safe level of 3.38 mg/kg after 14 d at 4 °C. The obtained antibacterial CD/Lip-CuNPs aerogels had the potential for extending the shelf life of fresh meat.