en Biotechnology Biotechnology پژوهشي Orginal research papers <p style="text-align:justify"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:11.0pt"><span calibri="" style="font-family:"><span style="color:black">This study developed and characterized electrospun chitosan/polycaprolactone (CS/PCL) nanofibers incorporating a thyme essential oil (TEO)/zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoemulsion for active food packaging applications. Nanofibers were fabricated via electrospinning, with TEO (3% and 6% w/w) and ZnO integrated through an emulsion method, and compared against a direct mixing approach. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed well-oriented, smooth, and bead-free nanofibers with average diameters ranging from 60 nm (with TEO) to 88 nm (without TEO). Antimicrobial efficacy, assessed over five days, indicated a time-dependent decrease for most nanofibers. Crucially, nanofibers prepared via the emulsion method demonstrated significantly sustained antimicrobial activity compared to those produced by direct mixing. Specifically, TEO-loaded nanofibers, encapsulated via emulsification, effectively maintained the total bacterial count of packaged meat within the standard range (<6 Log CFU/g) for up to 6 days. These findings highlight the significant potential of electrospun CS/PCL nanofibers incorporating emulsified TEO/ZnO for developing effective antimicrobial food packaging solutions, thereby enhancing food safety and extending shelf life.</span></span></span></p> Emulsion electrospinning, Encapsulation, Core-shell, Active packaging, Antimicrobial activity, Hybrid structure 1393 1415 http://jifro.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-5363-1&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Y. Aghaei Marzango yas_shamimya1970@yahoo.com 100319475328460058182 100319475328460058182 No Department of Food Science and Technology, NT.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran M. Nejatian mnejaatian@gmail.com 100319475328460058183 100319475328460058183 Yes Department of Nutrition Science and Food Hygiene, Faculty of Health, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran R. Mousavi Nadushan Mousavi.nadushan@gmail.com 100319475328460058184 100319475328460058184 No Department of Food Science and Technology, NT.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran F. Ashrafi Mnfa.ashrafi@yahoo.com 100319475328460058185 100319475328460058185 No Department of Microbiology, NT.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran