Rhamnolipids functionalized intrinsically active liposomes loaded with cinnamaldehyde: Potent antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity against Salmonella Typhimurium and Salmonella Enteritidis

Intrinsically active rhamnolipids functionalized liposomes (rhamnosomes) as a carrier for cinnamaldehyde were developed to enhance the antibacterial activity against foodborne Salmonella isolates. Stable rhamnosomes were optimized with an excellent encapsulation efficiency of 85 ± 1%. SEM revealed slightly rough surface morphology and the mean diameter was slightly increased after the incorporation of cinnamaldehyde in rhamnosomes from 77 to 137 ± 2 nm. However, negative zeta-potential values were reduced from -18.2 ± 4 mV to − 13.4 ± 2 mV for cinnamaldehyde-loaded rhamnosomes. FTIR analyses revealed chemical interactions between rhamnolipids and phospholipids, which facilitated the development of rhamnosomes. Cinnamaldehyde-loaded rhamnosomes exhibited higher anti-Salmonella activity as compared to free cinnamaldehyde and void-rhamnosomes, and 75–80% reduction in biomass was observed due to their enhanced binding with the bacterial membrane in the antibiofilm assays. Antimicrobial results revealed that cinnamaldehyde-loaded rhamnosomes inhibited bacterial growth, displayed adequate biocompatibility and stability while providing an innovative strategy to control foodborne-resistant pathogens.