Inclusion complex of clove oil with chitosan/β-cyclodextrin citrate/oxidized nanocellulose biocomposite for active food packaging

•Active food packaging has been prepared from inclusion complex between CEO and CS biocomposite loaded with 50% β-CDCit and 7% ONC.•The varied fractions of β-CDCit influence the physico-mechanical properties of CS biocomposite films.•The incorporated ONCs can overcome the drawbacks (weak mechanical properties, high water vapor permeability… etc) of CS/β-CDCit biocomposite.•The cumulative release rate and consequently the prolonged content of CEO by CS biocomposite can be influenced by both β-CDCit and ONC contents.