Production of Vanillin‐Loaded Zein Sub‐micron Electrospun Fibers for Food Packaging Applications

Abstract Vanillin‐loaded zein electrospun sub‐micron fibers were produced by electrospinning and intended for food packaging applications. The effect of the addition of different vanillin concentrations on the properties of zein nanostructured membranes and the relationship with fiber morphology was studied. Results indicated that vanillin was loaded in sub‐micrometric ribbon‐like fibers with random and isotropic orientation, whose size depended on the zein concentration. Vanillin migration tests were performed in different food simulants. This material shows potential application as active antimicrobial food packaging, e.g., in the form of patches inserted inside the primary packaging in direct contact with food like dried fruit and baked goods.