Development of antibacterial nanoemulsions incorporating thyme oil: Layer-by-layer self-assembly of whey protein isolate and chitosan hydrochloride

The aim of this study was to develop a thyme oil emulsion with good physicochemical properties and antibacterial activity. Initially, oil-in-water emulsions containing whey protein-coated essential oil droplets were prepared by high-pressure homogenization. The double-layer emulsions were formed around the oil droplets by electrostatic deposition of cationic chitosan hydrochloride onto the anionic protein-coated droplets. Then, the structure, physicochemical properties, and storage stability of the emulsions were determined. Emulsions formulated using 1% v/v thyme oil, 0.7 wt% whey protein, and 0.25 wt% of chitosan hydrochloride contained relatively small cationic droplets. Moreover, the emulsions containing double-layer coatings were shear-thinning fluids. Storage tests indicated that double-layer emulsions had better stability than the single-layer. Antibacterial tests indicated that the double-layer emulsions exhibited prolonged antibacterial activity against two model food pathogens: E. coli and S. aureus. These results provide a scientific basis for the rational design of antimicrobial delivery systems for use in foods.