Supplementing capsaicin with chitosan-based films enhanced the anti-quorum sensing, antimicrobial, antioxidant, transparency, elasticity and hydrophobicity

In the current study, capsaicin, a plant alkaloid with high antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, antiobesity, anticancer and analgesic properties, was used in the film technology for the first time. In the same regard, chitosan (as a versatile animal-based polymer) was blended with capsaicin at three different concentrations to obtain edible films. The produced films were characterized by FT-IR, SEM, and DSC. Mechanical, transmittance, hydrophobicity, anti-quorum sensing, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties were also examined. Incorporation of 0.6 mg of capsaicin into the chitosan matrix (200 mg dissolved in 1% acetic acid solution) was observed as an optimal concentration for boosting up three film properties including mechanical, optical and surface morphology. A continuous improvement was recorded in anti-quorum sensing and antimicrobial activities, antioxidative and hydrophobicity with increasing concentration of capsaicin in the film. In further studies, chitosan-capsaicin blend films can be used as a food packaging material as well dermal and wound healing patches.