Preparation and application of polycaprolactone/β-cyclodextrin/gamma-Decalactone nanofiber composites in citrus postharvest diseases

Citrus fruits are highly susceptible to pathogenic fungal infections after harvesting, which causes serious economic losses. Therefore, it's necessary to develop new antifungal packaging. In this study, gamma-Decanolactone (DL) was successfully encapsulated in a polycaprolactone (PCL)/β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) composite system using electrostatic spinning technology. PCL/β-CD was compounded in different ratios, the ratio was screened through other indicators such as fiber morphologies and mechanical properties. Then, antifungal mats were prepared by adding different concentrations of DL to the PCL/β-CD solution. The results showed that when the mixture ratio of PCL/β-CD was 6:1 and loaded with 6 % DL, the antifungal felt had strong mechanical, significantly inhibiting the growth of three citrus pathogens (P. digitatum, P. italicum and G. candidum), released DL for up to 204 h and effectively reduced the morbidity rate of citrus fruits. Therefore, the antifungal pad prepared in this study has great potential in the field of citrus disease control. [Display omitted] •First application of gamma-Decanolactone (DL) for citrus fruit preservation.•DL is successfully encapsulated into PCL/β-CD fiber pads using electrospinning.•DL acts as an antifungal agent in PCL/β-CD fiber pad.•PCL/β-CD-6 %DL effectively releases DL for up to 204 h.•PCL/β-CD-6 %DL inhibits the growth of P. digitatum, P. italicum and G. candidum.