Chemical modification of frankincense gum and its application in nano-fibers containing peppermint essential oil/modified frankincense gum/zein

This study was conducted to optimize the reaction conditions based on the solubility percentage of carboxymethyl NMG by monochloroacetic acid (MCA) in the presence of sodium hydroxide (alkaline environment). The effect of various reaction parameters (pH, MCA concentration, and temperature) on the solubility of NFG was evaluated. The highest solubility (85.49% by weight) was obtained at the NaOH concentration of 0.048 mol and MCA (as an etherifying agent) concentration of 0.016 mol at 75 °C. The novel nanofibers (NFs) were developed using modified frankincense gum (MFG)/Zein-containing peppermint essential oil (PEO) by applying electrospinning at different MFG/Zein ratios. The results of the Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) analysis demonstrated compatibility between essential oil and MFG/Zein. Furthermore, the prepared scaffold (i.e., Zein/MFG/PEO) showed antibacterial properties against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. According to the current research, the obtained NFs can be conveniently used as a substrate for encapsulating PEO as a hydrophobic component. Also, modified gum was identified as an excellent source of natural gum with high functional and physical properties. Therefore, it can be used in the formulation of food products, packaging of activity foods, and pharmaceuticals.