Optimization of microencapsulation process for the fabrication of methyleugenol microcapsules and investigation of their antifungal effects on Fusarium avenaceum

Methyleugenol was encapsulated via ultrasonic assisted microencapsulation method. • High yield and encapsulation efficiency were obtained with the proposed method. • Methyleugenol microcapsules had good thermal stability and sustained-release ability. • Methyleugenol microcapsules showed remarkable antifungal activity on F. avenaceum . Methyleugenol microcapsules were successfully fabricated using soybean protein isolate and sodium alginate as wall materials through ultrasonic assisted microencapsulation method. A real yield of 95.45 ± 2.55% and an encapsulation efficiency of 76.95 ± 3.03% were achieved under the optimum conditions derived from Plackett–Burman and Box–Behnken designs. Physicochemical characterization confirmed effective methyleugenol encapsulation, with the microcapsules exhibiting irregular morphology, uniform particle size distribution, and distinctive wrinkled surface textures. Thermogravimetric curve indicated that the thermal stability of methyleugenol was obviously enhanced by the microencapsulation process. After microencapsulation, the antifungal activity of methyleugenol was greatly improved, with its microcapsules exhibiting comparable efficacy to nystatin against Fusarium avenaceum , demonstrating the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 0.10 mg/mL and 0.07 mg/mL, respectively. These findings provide a scientific basis for exploring the potential applications of ME microcapsules in food preservation and related industrial sectors.