Synergistic antimicrobial and barrier enhancement in mushroom extract-loaded gelatin-chitosan films reinforced with tannic acid and curcumin for fresh chicken shelf-life extension.
Abstract
The escalating need for biodegradable packaging has driven search for sustainable alternatives to synthetic plastics for efficient food products packaging. This research presents a functional gelatin (Gl)-tannic acid (TA)-coated chitosan (Ch) based composite film incorporating mushroom extract (ME) and curcumin extract (CE), which was developed for fresh chicken preservation in refrigerated conditions. The mechanical strength of composite biodegradable films was markedly enhanced when compared to gelatin. The structural and morphological analysis supported strong interactions between components and the development of a compact and uniformly structured polymer matrix. The optimized Gl/TA@Ch/ME/CE film showed reduced moisture content (9.8%), lower solubility (22.4%), decreased swelling (28.5%), and 51% lower water vapour transmission rate, UV-blocking properties and improved low oxygen permeability (1.3 ± 0.15 × 10-9 g·cm/cm2·s). The film exhibited superior antioxidant activity (25.83%), total phenolic content (52.12 μg GAE/mL), and significant antibacterial performance against strains of E. coli and S. aureus. Plant toxicity and developmental toxicity on zebrafish and 97% biodegradation within 48 h confirmed safety and good biocompatibility. Application of the optimized film to the fresh chicken samples significantly reduced the weight loss, delayed pH increase, preserved the texture, and reduced the microbial growth. These results suggest the synergistic effect of tannic acid-coated chitosan and gelatin led to enhancement of strength and stability of the film, and curcumin extract and mushroom extract improved functionality, antimicrobial and antioxidant activity. This research establishes an innovative strategy for fabricating high-performance, bioactive packaging composite films exhibiting superior potential for food safety applications.