High-absorbent antibacterial konjac glucomannan/xanthan gum/bamboo fiber aerogel with carvacrol for chilled pork preservation

To address exudate accumulation and enhance the preservation of chilled pork, a biodegradable aerogel composed of konjac glucomannan (KGM), xanthan gum (XG), bamboo fiber (BF), and varying concentrations of carvacrol (CV) was developed. The aerogels were characterized by their microstructure and properties, which exhibited rapid water absorption and good mechanical performance in both dry and wet states. The incorporation of CV endowed the aerogels with antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus and antioxidant properties, as demonstrated by DPPH radical scavenging activity. Additionally, the aerogels exhibited soil biodegradability. When applied as absorbent pads for chilled pork preservation, the aerogels significantly inhibited the increase in total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBA), and total viable counts (TVC) after 24 h of storage. Moreover, the aerogels extended the pork's shelf life to 9 days at 4 °C, surpassing the 5-day shelf life achieved with commercial pads. These results underscore the aerogels' potential as absorbent pads for preserving chilled pork, offering effective solutions for both short- and long-term storage applications.