GREEN CHITOSAN/PEG/PVA PACKAGING FILMS REINFORCED WITH FRUIT PEEL ADDITIVES

Abstract

Packaging refers to the process applied to protect materials against environmental factors such as oxygen, moisture, light, and microorganisms, thereby preserving product quality and extending shelf life. Petroleum-based plastics, which are commonly used in packaging applications, are not biodegradable and can persist in the environment for long periods. This has led to an increasing demand for environmentally friendly and sustainable packaging materials. However, many biodegradable packaging materials exhibit limited mechanical strength, restricting their practical applicability in protective packaging systems. In this study, bio-based biocomposite films were prepared and characterized using chitosan, polyethylene glycol (PEG), and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) biopolymers, reinforced with locally sourced hawthorn (Crataegus spp.) and pomegranate (Punica granatum L.), with the aim of developing potential biodegradable packaging films with both sufficient mechanical strength and antibacterial functionality. The results demonstrated that the biocomposite films exhibited resistance to solvents with different characteristics. Optical microscopy and SEM analyses confirmed the homogeneous dispersion of the reinforcing materials within the polymer matrix. Compared to similar materials reported in the literature, the developed biocomposite films displayed superior mechanical performance. Soil burial tests further verified that the biocomposite films exhibited significantly higher biodegradability than conventional plastics. Among the developed formulations, the 3BP film containing pomegranate peel exhibited promising characteristics for sustainable packaging applications due to its strong mechanical and antibacterial performance.