Preparation of functional degradable antibacterial film and application in fresh-keeping of grass carp

To explore new, green and effective low-temperature preservation technology, β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) embedded Elsholtzia essential oil (EEO) was used as an antibacterial agent, and polybutylene adipate-co-terephthalate (PBAT) and polylactic acid (PLA) were used as the base material to extend grass carp fillets shelf life. Active antibacterial PBAT/PLA, PBAT/PLA-EEO, and PBAT/PLA-β-CDels films were prepared using a casting film-forming process. The changes in total viable count (TVC), pH, total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances values of grass carp fillets during storage at 4 °C were studied. The results showed that, compared with the PBAT/PLA film, the oxygen transmission rate of PBAT/PLA-β-CDels decreased from 868.02 to 566.80 cm3 m2•24 h•0.1 MPa−1. During preservation, compared with the PBAT/PLA film, the PBAT/PLA-β-CDels film effectively lowered TVC and delayed TVB-N production. The results revealed that PBAT/PLA-β-CDels film with β-CD-embedded EEO positively affected grass carp quality maintenance and extended its shelf life.