Antimicrobial polysaccharide hydrogels embedded with methyl-β-cyclodextrin/thyme oil inclusion complexes for exceptional mechanical performance and chilled chicken breast preservation.

While hydrogels have potential for food packaging, limited research on hydrogels with excellent mechanical performance and antibacterial activity for preserving chicken breasts. Herein, we created antibacterial hydrogels by embedding methyl-β-cyclodextrin/thyme oil inclusion complexes (MCD/TO-ICs) into a polyvinyl alcohol matrix containing dendrobium polysaccharides and guar gum in varying ratios using freeze-thaw cycling method. The resulting hydrogels exhibited a more compact structure than those without MCD/TO-ICs, enhancing thermal stability and increasing glass transition temperature due to additional intermolecular interactions between polymer chains that inhibited chain movement. XRD analysis showed no significant changes in crystalline phase, enabling formation of a 3D network through abundant hydrogen bonding. Moreover, the hydrogel demonstrated exceptional durability, with a toughness of 350 ± 25 kJ/m3 and adequate tearing resistance of 340 ± 30 J/m2 , capable of lifting 3 kg weight, 1200 times greater than the hydrogel itself. Additionally, the hydrogels displayed excellent antimicrobial activity and antioxidant properties. Importantly, the hydrogels effectively maintained TVB-N levels and microbial counts within acceptable ranges, preserving sensory properties and extending the shelf life of chilled chicken breasts by four days. This study highlights the potential of MCD/TO-IC-incorporated polysaccharide hydrogels as safe and effective active packaging solutions for preserving chilled chicken in food industry.