## 1 Introduction  
Currently, the use of materials from natural sources rather than conventional synthetic substances has increased considerably. Essential oils (EOs) are secondary metabolites of plants with biological characteristics such as anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant, and antitumor and have been used for many years as spices, pharmaceuticals, and raw materials for perfumes and other cosmetic products [1]. Clove essential oil consists of more than 30 compounds and can have a significant biological effect on human health, including antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer activity [2, 3]. Depending on the botanical origin and extraction method, the proportions of identified compounds in the essential oil can be different. Eugenol is the main compound and comprises 50% to 90% of clove essential oil. Meanwhile, the remaining compounds are mainly eugenyl acetate, \(\beta\)-caryophyllene, and \(\alpha\)-humulene [2]. Eugenol is a phenolic compound characterized by antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory properties [4]. However, eugenol has relatively low chemical stability; therefore, additional efforts are required to preserve its activity. Among the EOs, remarkable antimicrobial and antibiotic-potentiating activities have been highlighted for cinnamaldehyde abundant in the essential oils of _Cinnamamump_ spp. [5]. Cinnamaldehyde is food-compatible, economically attractive, and can be used in a wide range of applications as an antimicrobial agent against pathogenic microorganisms [6]. In general, EOs have been shown to have a great inhibitory effect on bacteria, mold, fungi, viruses, and microbial toxin synthesis, as well as restricting the development of oxidative deterioration [7; 8; 9]. However, the application of free EOs could be restricted due to poor solubility in water, low chemical stability, and high volatility, which leads to a reduction in long-lasting bioactivity [10]. Encapsulation is a promising tool to overcome the various limitations of EO formulations, improve their functionality, and protect them from external environmental conditions [11]. Natural biopolymers are nontoxic and biodegradable substances and can be used as carrier materials in the encapsulation of bioactive compounds [12]. Polysaccharides such as starch, chitosan, carrageenan, and cellulose can be used as matrixes for the various biologically active substances for the development of different forms such as emulsions [13], powders [14], coatings [15], films [16], patches [10], and wound dressings [17]. For the past decade, materials based on biopolymers with immobilized essential oils have been developed and applied in various areas such as the food industry [18], active packaging technologies [19], medical devices [20], cosmetics, and personal care products [10]. The main issues in the food safety and quality area are microbial contamination and oxidation of lipids/proteins, increasing the risk of foodborne illness [21; 22]. In recent years, there has been growing concern about active food packaging containing synthetic materials and additives that adversely affect human health and/or make packaging unsustainable in terms of recycling [23]. Research reports have shown that EOs can be combined with different cellulose-based substrates. In one study, paper-based materials containing free coriander essential oil were investigated against Gram-positive (_S. aureus_, _B. subtilis_) and Gram-negative (_E. coli_, _P. aeruginosa_) bacteria, yeast (_C. albicans_), and fungal strain (_A. brasiliensis_), and such materials demonstrated a high fungicidal effect [24]. In another study, a paper substrate with free launder essential oil was developed and the antifungal properties of the treated paper samples have been found to be more pronounced than antibacterial ones [25]. In addition, new packaging systems have been developed, such as active cardboard trays coated with emulsions containing encapsulated EOs such as carvacrol, oregano, and cinnamon [26].