Development of novel starch/carboxymethyl cellulose-based films engineered with zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 for salmon preservation

The deterioration of aquatic products leads to significant economic losses, underscoring the need for effective solutions. One effective means of addressing this issue is the creation of packaging materials with antimicrobial properties based on natural materials. Zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) has been demonstrated to exhibit favorable antibacterial properties and could potentially enhance the mechanical strength of bio-polymer-based film materials through interfacial interactions between the ZIF-8 and the polymer. Herein, starch/carboxymethyl cellulose (SR/CMC)-based environmentally friendly multifunctional films were prepared by doping ZIF-8. The impacts of ZIF-8 on the physicochemical, antioxidant, and antimicrobial characteristics of SR/CMC films, along with their prospective utility in salmon preservation, were examined. ZIF-8 demonstrated effective dispersion in the SR/CMC, forming a compact film structure. The SR/CMC film containing ZIF-8 exhibited enhanced UV-blocking properties, tensile strength, water resistance, and efficacious inhibitory capacity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli . Consequently, the incorporation of ZIF-8 into SR/CMC film has been demonstrated to effectively prolong the shelf life of salmon by impeding microbial proliferation. The predominant bacteria ( Pseudomonas ) responsible for salmon spoilage were isolated and the mechanism of ZIF-8 inhibition on Pseudomonas was investigated by transcriptomic analysis. The results showed that the disruption of metabolic pathways, including the tricarboxylic acid cycle and arginine biosynthesis, was responsible for the death of the Pseudomonas . The findings provide a novel insight into the use of ZIF-8 in food preservation, indicating that the ZIF-8 doped SR/CMC films have the potential for multifunctional active packaging applications.