Citral-loaded nanocellulose/sodium alginate aerogel packaging liner for fresh pork preservation

The composite aerogels were prepared by using nanocellulose (CNF) and sodium alginate (SA) as the matrix materials and CaCl2 as the cross-linking agent using a simple freeze-drying process, and the antimicrobial agent (citral) was loaded by using the porous network structure of the aerogels. The results showed that the composite aerogel had a homogeneous structure, excellent mechanical properties, and outstanding water absorption when the ratio of CNF to SA was 1:1. The citral-loaded composite aerogels showed excellent antibacterial properties against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Under ambient conditions, the citral-loaded composite aerogel can be used as a fresh packaging liner to absorb the blood water produced by pork while effectively slowing down the changes in color, pH, and total viable count of fresh pork and extending the shelf life of pork.