Preparation, optimization and characterization of degradable mung bean starch-whey protein-apple polyphenols composite film.

Fabrication of biodegradable carboxymethylcellulose-based antioxidant packaging film incorporated with pineapple waste-synthesized ZnONPs for apple preservation.

Conventional plastic packaging is non-degradable and highly persistent, leading to environmental pollution and posing threats to wildlife and human health. Alongside these environmental issues, extending food shelf life is essential, as food spoilage has become a major concern, causing economic losses and compromising food safety and quality. This study aims to incorporate different concentrations of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs; 0.5, 1, and 1.5% wt.) synthesized from pineapple peel extract into carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) to produce an active food packaging film. The structural and chemical characteristics, as well as physical, mechanical, barrier, and thermal properties of the fabricated film were analyzed accordingly. In addition, its functional properties, antioxidant activity, and biodegradability were further evaluated for biodegradable active packaging films. Notably, the active film with synthesized ZnO (1.5% wt.) demonstrated excellent performance, achieving a 20.53% reduction in moisture content, a 41.31% reduction in water solubility, enhanced thermal stability and barrier properties, and improved tensile strength and elongation at break compared to films made solely from CMC. The film exhibited up to 50.46% antioxidant activity, with the highest performance at 1.0 wt% ZnO effectively delayed the deterioration of apple slices for up to 9 days of storage. These findings indicate that the fabricated CMC/ZnONPs film has great potential as an active food packaging.

Development and characterization of bioactive citric acid-crosslinked chitosan films functionalized with sorghum extracts.

While chitosan has emerged as a leading biodegradable alternative to petroleum-based plastics, its high moisture sensitivity and limited active functionality often compromise its barrier performance and shelf-life extension capabilities in food-packaging applications. In this study, citric acid-crosslinked chitosan films plasticized with glycerol and functionalized with sorghum glume extracts were developed and characterized. Film thickness remained uniform (0.046-0.056 mm), indicating good casting reproducibility, with reduced water sensitivity, resulting in moderate water solubility (16.8-19.5%), and low water vapour permeability (0.533-0.605 × 10-9 g·m-1·s-1·Pa-1). Increasing glycerol content enhanced film flexibility, with EAB reaching up to 53.47%. Sorghum extracts improved the functional performance of the films, reducing transparency and increasing UV-light shielding while enhancing antioxidant activity. The highest antioxidant performance was observed in films containing 10% extract. SEM analysis revealed smooth, homogeneous, and defect-free surfaces, whereas FTIR and DSC analyses suggest strong intermolecular interactions leading to improved thermal stability and matrix cohesion. The immobilized 3-deoxyanthocyanidins exhibited pH-dependent color responses across a pH range of 1-12 and maintained their coloration under alkaline conditions, reflecting their inherent stability. However, the gradual color transitions indicate greater suitability for active antioxidant packaging than intelligent pH-indicator applications. Moreover, 10% extract-loaded films represent the most promising candidates due to their superior functional performance. The incorporation of sorghum glume extract transformed chitosan films into active bio-based systems with enhanced antioxidant protection, improved light barrier properties, and maintained physicochemical stability.

Smart and active biocomposite films from tamarind seed starch, MCC, and trans-cinnamaldehyde for sustainable food packaging

Enhancing the Mechanical and Barrier Properties of Seaweed-Cassava Starch Bioplastics with Natural Additives for Sustainable Food Packaging

The growing accumulation of petroleum-based plastic waste has intensified the search for biodegradable alternatives from renewable resources. This study investigated the effect of clove essential oil (CEO) on the mechanical and barrier properties of composite bioplastic films from semi-refined carrageenan and cassava starch (30:70) with 30% glycerol. Unlike previous studies using purified biopolymers or focusing solely on antimicrobial effects, this work uniquely evaluates CEO as a dual-function agent plasticizer and hydrophobic barrier enhancer within a low-cost carrageenan–starch matrix to identify the optimal loading for balanced packaging performance. Films were prepared by solution-casting with CEO at 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0% (w/w). Increasing CEO content decreased tensile strength (18.2 to 12.1 MPa) and Young's modulus (612 to 365 MPa), while elongation increased (22.4% to 41.6%). WVP and oxygen permeability decreased by 39% and 43%, respectively, alongside an increase in contact angle (68.4° to 89.6°), indicating enhanced hydrophobicity. FTIR confirmed physical dispersion without new covalent bonding. Films remained biodegradable, though higher CEO slowed degradation. The 1.0–1.5% CEO formulation offered the most balanced combination of flexibility, barrier performance, and degradability for sustainable food packaging.

Longan seed enzymatic hydrolyzate-carboxymethyl chitosan blended films: Interaction mechanism and multifunctionality.

Carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) films exhibit limited functionality, a constraint that impedes their large-scale application in food packaging. The objective of this study was to modify CMCS films with longan seed extracts (LSE) to enhance their comprehensive performance. The fundamental physicochemical properties of LSE were characterized, and the structure-performance relationship of the resultant blended films was explored. All samples were characterized for microstructure, mechanical properties, water vapor permeability, UV-blocking ability, and antibacterial activity. The findings indicated that incorporating LSE imparted the films with a tensile strength of 24.91 ± 3.80 MPa and an elongation at break of 35.59 ± 4.27%. The water vapor permeability of the samples decreased, ranging from 29.57% to 51.25%, and the ultraviolet shielding efficiency was enhanced by 4.31-4.82 times. The incorporation of LSE effectively addressed the functional limitations of neat CMCS films. This work presents a viable strategy for fabricating high-performance active packaging films using extracts from agricultural by-products.

Development, characterization, and optimization of biodegradable composite films from waste potato peel starch reinforced with avocado peel pectin and sisal fiber for packaging applications.

The urgent need for sustainable, biodegradable alternatives to conventional petroleum-based plastics for packaging applications arises from increasing environmental concerns. This study developed bioplastic composite films (BPCFs) using 10 g of potato peel starch (PPS) reinforced with avocado peel pectin (APP) and sisal fiber (SF) at varying concentrations (0 wt.%, 2 wt.%, 4 wt.%, 6 wt., 8 wt.%, and 10 wt.%) and ratios (1:3, 1:1, and 3:1). Glycerol (3.5 mL) was used as a plasticizer and vinegar (2 mL) acted as a crosslinker, with the solution casting method employed for film preparation. The BPCFs were characterized through various techniques including X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), universal testing machine (UTM), and assessments of physical properties such as film thickness and moisture content. The XRD pattern of PPS showed B-type characteristics with a crystallinity index (Xc) of 17.43%. Incorporating APP/SF at 6 wt.% with a 1:3 ratio increased the Xc of BPCFs to 24.57%. FTIR analysis confirmed the functional groups, and SEM analysis offered insights into morphology and microcrack behavior. The TGA graph indicates that BPCFs at 6 wt.% improve thermal stability, while DSC curves show higher glass transition and melting temperatures compared to 0 wt.%, beneficial for packaging systems. The findings indicate an increase in film thickness and a decrease in moisture content with elevated APP/SF loading. The tensile strength of BPCFs enhanced from 3.36 ± 0.17 MPa at 0 wt.% - 8.89 ± 0.44 MPa with 6 wt.% APP/SF loading at a 1:3 ratio. The biodegradability and water absorption of the BPCFs decreased as the loading of APP/SF increased over various time intervals. The developed BPCFs serves as a high-performance, eco-friendly alternative to traditional plastics, specifically for packaging and single-use plastic products.