Physico-mechanical and antimicrobial properties of quince seed mucilage supplemented with titanium dioxide and silicon oxide nanoparticles

Objective(s): Quince seed mucilage (QSM) serves as a new source of hydrocolloid which extracted from outer pericarp of Cydonia oblonga seeds upon wetting. It has been traditionally used for the treatment of diseases such as pharyngeal disorder, common cold, colic ulcer, and diarrhea. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the physico-mechanical and antimicrobial properties of quince seed mucilage supplemented with titanium dioxide (TiO2) and silicon oxide (SiO2) nanoparticles. Methods: The antimicrobial property of designated QSM against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella typhimurium, and Escherichia coli O157:H7 was determined using agar disk diffusion and broth micro-dilution assays. Thickness, tensile strength (TS), puncture force (PF), puncture deformation (PD), swelling index (SI), and color of active QSMs were evaluated using analytical instruments. Results: The films containing TiO2 and SiO2 nanoparticles exhibited good antimicrobial effects against S. aureus, B. subtilis, B. cereus, L. monocytogenes, S. typhimurium, and E. coli O157:H7 ranged 0.82-6.88 mm and -2.78 - -0.28 log differences in population (DP) regarding agar disk diffusion and broth micro-dilution assays, respectively. The presented values, including TS, PF, and PD of QSM films, were in the ranges of 22.45-35.81 MPa, 10.42-15.49 N, and 15.53-18.45 mm, respectively. Conclusions: Application of TiO2 and SiO2 nanoparticles greatly improved the antimicrobial and physico-mechanical properties of the prepared films.