Chitosan films were loaded with NE nettle (Urtica dioica L.) extract (NE) at concentrations of 0, 0.5, 1 and
1.5%w/w in the free or nanoliposomal form to obtain active and nanoactive films, respectively. The antioxidant
potential of the films containing NE-loaded nanoliposomes was decreased in comparison of free NE
incorporated films. Diffusion of NE to soybean oil was enough to delay the induction of the oxidation of
soybean oil stored for 60 days in contact with chitosan based films. Release studies indicated that the
release rate of NE in 95% ethanol simulant significantly decreased by the nanoencapsulation of NE. The diffusion
coefficient (D) for chitosan films containing 1.5%w/w of free and encapsulated NE at 25 C was
18.80 and 3.68107 cm2 s1, respectively. Moreover, the formation of nanoliposomes diminished the
increasing effect of temperature on the release rate as when storage temperature increased from 4 C to
40 C.
