POTENTIAL ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY OF ALGINATE POLYMER FILMS INCORPORATED WITH NANOEMULSION OF SCHINUS TEREBINTHIFOLIUS ESSENTIAL OIL

Objective: This study aimed to develop alginate polymeric films incorporated with nanoemulsion of Schinus terebinthifolius essential oil and evaluate their antifungal activity against foodborne fungi. Methods: The essential oil was extracted by hydrodistillation and characterized by GC-MS. Nanoemulsions were prepared by phase inversion method and incorporated into alginate films by casting. Antifungal activity was assessed by determining Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC) against Aspergillus niger (ATCC 6275), Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (ATCC 96723), and Penicillium chrysogenum (ATCC 10106) using the broth microdilution method. Results: GC-MS analysis revealed β-pinene (46.85%), α-pinene (18.55%), and germacrene D (17.06%) as the major constituents. The biofilm-nanoemulsion system exhibited antifungal activity against all tested strains, with MIC values ranging from 213.99 to 398.22 mg/L and MFC values ranging from 301.88 to 414.88 mg/L. The system demonstrated greater efficacy against C. gloeosporioides (MIC = 213.99 mg/L; MFC = 301.88 mg/L), followed by A. niger (MIC = 321.25 mg/L; MFC = 411.25 mg/L) and P. chrysogenum (MIC = 398.22 mg/L; MFC = 414.88 mg/L). Conclusion: The alginate films incorporated with nanoemulsion of S. terebinthifolius essential oil demonstrated significant antifungal activity, attributed to the synergistic effects of the major bioactive compounds combined with the enhanced bioavailability provided by nanoemulsification and the controlled release afforded by the alginate matrix.