Development and evaluation of Moringa extract incorporated Chitosan/Guar gum/Poly (vinyl alcohol) active films for food packaging applications

A synergistic influence of gallic acid/ZnO NPs to strengthen the multifunctional properties of methylcellulose: A conservative approach for tomato preservation

Biodegradable and sustainable food preservation materials have gained immense global importance to mitigate plastic pollution and environmental impact. Biopolymers like cellulose offer significant advantages for food preservation, including biodegradability and the ability to extend shelf life. Therefore, the present study aims to prepare gallic acid (GA) and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) incorporated methylcellulose (MC) composite films by employing a solvent casting technique. The homogeneous SEM micrographs and FTIR spectra evidenced high compatibility among MC and GA/ZnO NPs. The UV barrier capacity, mechanical properties and surface hydrophobicity are remarkably enhanced by GA/ZnO NPs. However, the water vapour permeability and oxygen permeability of MGZ films were reduced by 49.19 % and 57.75 % respectively. Moreover, the MGZ films demonstrated exceptional antioxidant efficacy (∼94.48 %) and inhibition against food-borne pathogens such as B. subtilis, S. aureus (Gram-positive), E. coli, P. aeruginosa (Gram-negative), and C. albicans fungi. Furthermore, the GA/ZnO NPs extended the shelf life of MGZ coated tomato samples up to 27 days and exhibited controlled microbial growth after the preservation study. These results support the application of MGZ films as suitable and effective coating materials for food packaging applications.

Sustainable gelatin-kappa carrageenan active packaging with Mekwiya date seeds to enhance goat meat quality and shelf life

This research aimed to elaborate a gelatin-Kappa carrageenan-based packaging with 0.22 %, 0.44 %, and 0.88 % w/v of Mekwiya date palm seeds extract (DSEMK). This extract improved the mechanical, physical, and thermal properties of the films. Moisture content, water solubility, and water vapor permeability were reduced from 17.54 ± 0.02 to 12.18 ± 0.02, from 77.61 ± 0.02 to 25.35 ± 0.29 %, and from 5.28 ± 0.29 to 1.69 ± 0.03 g s-1 m-1 Pa-1 × 10-10, respectively. During thermal degradation, DSEMK4 film had a residual weight of 27.99 %, compared to 20.67 % for the control. Despite a decline in the film's tensile strength from 24.19 to 8.94 MPa with the incorporation of DSEMK, elongation at the breaking point increased from 37.66 ± 0.16 to 46.17 ± 0.25 %. The film containing DSEMK4 displayed the highest phenolic contents and illustrated the best antioxidant effects in DPPH and FRAP assays, with IC50s of 756 and 1445 μg/mL, respectively and inhibited pathogen growth on the meat surface. Over storage at 4 °C, monitoring of pH, lipid and protein oxidation parameters, microbial spoilage, optical properties, and sensory attributes disclosed that the DSEMK-films successfully enhanced the meat quality and safety. These findings were supported by principal component analysis and heat maps.

Copper nanoparticles loaded gelatin/ polyvinyl alcohol/ guar gum-based 3D printable multimaterial hydrogel for tissue engineering applications

Hydrogels are becoming increasingly significant in tissue engineering because of their numerous benefits, including biocompatibility, biodegradability, and their ability to provide a supportive structure for cell proliferation. This study presents the synthesis and characterization of a new multimaterial hydrogel with 3D-printing capabilities composed of copper nanoparticle-reinforced gelatin, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and guar gum-based biomaterials intended for tissue engineering applications. Combining CuNPs aims to enhance the hydrogel's antibacterial properties, mechanical strength, and bioactivity, which are essential for successful tissue regeneration. Hydrogels are chemically cross-linked with glyoxal and analyzed through different assessments to examine the compressive behavior, surface morphology, sorbing capacity, biocompatibility, thermal stability, and degradation properties. The results demonstrated that including CuNPs significantly improved the hydrogel's compressive modulus (4.18 MPa) for the hydrogel with the CuNPs and provided better antibacterial activity against common pathogens with controlled degradation. All the hydrogels exhibited a lower coefficient of friction, which was below 0.1. In vitro cell culture studies using chondrocytes indicated that the CuNPs-loaded hydrogel supported cell proliferation and growth of chondrogenic genes such as collagen type II (COL2) and aggrecan (ACAN). The biocompatibility and enhanced mechanical properties of the multimaterial hydrogel make it a promising candidate for developing customized, patient-specific tissue engineering scaffolds.

Nelumbo nucifera flower extract incorporated alginate/polyvinyl alcohol films as a sustainable pH indicator for active food packaging applications

In recent years, there has been a growing demand for environmentally friendly smart packaging materials. Therefore, in this study, we developed an eco-friendly pH-sensitive indicator film through the solvent casting process, incorporating alginate, polyvinyl alcohol, garlic, and Nelumbo nucifera flower extract. The effect of extract on the chemical and physical properties of the film were extensively studied using various characterization techniques. XRD and FTIR reveal the strong interaction between the polymers and the extract. The incorporation of the extract influenced various parameters such as swelling behavior, water solubility, and moisture content, while also improving the film's thermal stability, biodegradability, as well as its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Interestingly, the film exhibited a color change in response to pH change. During shrimp storage, the film showed a visible transition from purple to green, indicating shrimp spoilage. Additionally, the film's ability to detect freshness was confirmed by measuring total volatile basic nitrogen (TVBN). These findings suggest that the PVA/alginate/garlic/Nelumbo nucifera film shows promise as an intelligent packaging material for real-time food monitoring applications.

Development of bioactive films loaded with extract and polysaccharide of Pinus brutia bark

Society's interest in natural and clean products in many areas, such as food and cosmetics, has increased considerably. It has led to the development of new techniques in the packaging of products so that the wastes from the preferred products can be recycled. In this context, Pinus brutia bark was preferred within the scope of the study to transform natural wastes into functional components and use them as packaging material. P. brutia bark (PBB) samples were collected from Bursa, Turkey. PBB samples were ultrasonically extracted using various solvents (acetone, butanol, ethanol, ethyl acetate, hexane, methanol, petroleum ether, and water) and a solvent-acidic hydrolysis system. The phenolic content profile of PBB samples was determined using high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection, and total flavonoid content, antioxidant capacity, and total phenolic content were determined. Chitosan-polyvinyl alcohol (CS-PVA) films loaded with polysaccharides and containing methanolic extract were developed. The physical, chemical, and mechanical properties of the films were characterized. It is known that the thickness of the films determines the mechanical properties required to maintain the integrity of the packaging during storage and transport. From the results of the study, it was concluded that the elongation at break value was higher in CS-PVA-PBB-M films (111.08% ± 10.46%), Young's modulus (31.74 ± 21.37 N/mm2), and tensile strength (3.01 ± 0.50 N/mm2) values were higher in CS-PVA films. In this case, it was concluded that adding proanthocyanidin to edible films gives flexibility to the films.

UV blocking edible films based on corn starch/moringa gum incorporated with pine cone extract for sustainable food packaging

Corn starch (CS) is a good alternative to synthetic polymers due to its sustainability; nevertheless, because of its weak tensile strength, the matrix requires another polymer. Therefore, 0.5 % (w/v) moringa gum (MG) was added. The purpose of this study was to assess how pine cone extract (PCE) affected the physiochemical and mechanical properties of corn starch and moringa gum (CS/MG) films and their use as UV-blocking composites. The findings suggest that the PCE improved the elongation at break from 3.27 % to 35.2 % while greatly reducing the tensile strength. The hydrogen bonding between CS/MG and PCE was visible in the FTIR spectra. The XRD graph indicated that the films were amorphous. In comparison to CS/MG films, PCE-incorporated edible films demonstrated significant UV-blocking ability indicating their potential as sustainable packaging material for light-sensitive food products.

Biodegradable bio-film based on Cordyceps militaris and metal-organic frameworks for fruit preservation

In this study, Cordyceps militaris matrix was employed for the first time to fabricate a biodegradable food packaging. Carmine and Ag@CuBTC were introduced to cross-link with mycelium and were uniformly dispersed within the matrix to enhance the water resistance, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties of the bio-films. The bio-film displayed high biodegradability, with nearly 100 % degradation achieved after three weeks. The bio-film exhibited exceptional resistance to oxidation (49.30 % DPPH and 93.94 % ABTS•+), as well as effective inhibitory capabilities against E. coli and S. aureus, respectively. The composite film maintained a high CO2/O2 selective permeability, which was advantageous for mitigating fruit metabolism and extending shelf life. Simultaneously, food preservation experiments confirmed that these bio-films can decelerate the spoilage of fruits and effectively prolong the shelf-life of food. The experimental findings indicated that the prepared Bio-R-Ag@Cu film held promise as an environmentally friendly biodegradable material for food packaging.

Chitosan/konjac glucomannan bilayer films: Physical, structural, and thermal properties

To overcome the limitations of chitosan (CS) and konjac glucomannan (KGM), the bilayer films of CS and KGM were prepared by layer-by-layer (LBL) casting method, and the effects of different mass ratios (i.e., C5: K0, C4:K1, C3:K2, C1:K1, C2:K3, C1:K4, and C0:K5) on the microstructures and physicochemical properties of bilayer films were examined to evaluate their applicability in food packaging. The results revealed that the bilayer films had uniform microstructures. When compared with pure films, the bilayer films displayed lower swelling degrees and water vapor permeability. However, the tensile tests revealed a reduction in the mechanical properties of the bilayer films, which was nonetheless superior to that of the pure KGM film. In addition, the intermolecular interactions between the CS and KGM layers were observed through FTIR and XRD analyses. Finally, TGA and DSC analyses demonstrated a decrease in the thermal stability of the bilayer films. Our cumulative results verified that CS-KGM bilayer films may be a promising material for use in food packaging and further properties of the bilayer films can be supplemented in the future through layer-by-layer modification and the addition of active ingredients.

Development of a chitosan/pectin-based multi-active food packaging with both UV and microbial defense functions for effectively preserving of strawberry

Multi-active food packaging was prepared for strawberry fruit preservation where epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)-containing pectin matrix and natamycin (NATA)-containing chitosan (CS) matrix were utilized to complete LBL electrostatic self-assembly. The results showed that the physicochemical properties of the multi-active packaging were closely related to the addition of NATA and EGCG. It was found that NATA and EGCG were embedded in the CS/pectin matrix through intermolecular hydrogen bonding interactions. The CN/PE 15 % multi-active films prepared based on the spectral stacking theory formed a barrier to UV light in the outer layer, exhibited excellent NATA protection under UV light exposure conditions at different times, and provided long-lasting and sustained bacterial inhibition in the inner layer. In addition, the CN/PE 15 % multi-active packaging extended the shelf life of strawberry at room temperature compared with the control samples. In conclusion, the developed CN/PE 15 % packaging provided potential applications for multi-active food packaging materials.

Recent advances in plant-based polysaccharide ternary complexes for biodegradable packaging

Polysaccharide-based packaging has been directed toward the development of technologies for the generation of packaging with biodegradable materials that can serve as substitutes for conventional packaging. Polysaccharides are reliable sources of edible packaging materials with excellent renewability, biodegradability, and bio-compatibility as well as antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Apart from these properties, packaging film developed from a single polysaccharide has various disadvantages due to undesirable properties. Thus, to overcome these problems, researchers focused on ternary blend-based bio-packaging instead of the primary and binary complex to improve their characteristics and properties. The review emphasizes the extraction of polysaccharides and their combination with other polymers to provide desirable characteristics and physico-mechanical properties of the biodegradable film which will upgrade the green packaging technology in the future generation This review also explores the advancement of ternary blend-based biodegradable film and their application in foods with different requirements and the future aspects for developing advanced biodegradable film. Moreover, the review concludes that cellulose, modified starch, and another plant-based polysaccharide film mostly provides good gas barrier property and better tensile strength, which can be used as a safeguard of perishable and semi-perishable foods which brings them closer to replacing commercial synthetic packaging.

Development of biomaterials based on chitosan-gelatin nanofibers encapsulated with Ziziphora clinopodioides essential oil and Heracleum persicum extract for extending the shelf-life of vacuum-cooked beef sausages

The aims of the current study were to encapsulate Ziziphora clinopodioides essential oil (ZEO, 0%, 0.15%, and 0.25%) and Heracleum persicum extract (HPE, 0%, 0.25%, and 0.5%) into the chitosan-gelatin (CH-GE) nanofibers through the electrospinning process to improve the shelf-life of vacuum-cooked beef sausages through 70 days of refrigerated storage. Scanning electron microscopy indicated that all nanofibers appeared thin, well-defined, smooth, and possessed uniform thread-like fibers without any beads or nodule formations. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy study confirmed the molecular interaction between encapsulated compounds and CH-GE nanofibers. The X-ray diffraction analysis of nanofibers showed an increase in crystallinity after incorporating ZEO and HPE into the polymer. Treated sausages with CH-GE-ZEO 0.25%-HPE 0.25% and CH-GE-ZEO 0.25%-HPE 0.5% showed significantly lower microbial population and lipid oxidation than the control group during the experiment period (P < 0.05). Sausages formulated with designated CH-GE nanofibers had better microbial, chemical, and sensory properties compared to sausages treated with pure ZEO/HPE during refrigerated storage. The findings also showed that treated sausages with CH-GE-ZEO 0.25%-HPE 0.5% had the highest color, odor, texture, and overall acceptability after 70 days of refrigerated storage conditions. Therefore, this treatment could be applicable for the prolonged storage conditions during cooked beef sausage production.

Physicochemical and antioxidant properties of tannic acid crosslinked cationic starch/chitosan based active films for ladyfinger packaging application

In the present study, cationic starch (CS)/chitosan (CH) incorporated with tannic acid (TA)(CSCT) eco-friendly films were prepared by employing an inexpensive solvent casting technique. Influence of TA on the physicochemical and antimicrobial properties of CS/CH polymer matrix were studied. The FTIR findings and homogeneous, dense SEM micrographs confirms the effective interaction of TA with CS/CH polymer matrix. CSCT-3 active film displayed tensile strength of 26.99±1.91 MPa, which is more substantial than commercially available polyethylene (PE) (12-16 MPa) films. The active films exhibited excellent barrier properties against moisture and water, supported by increased water contact angle values (86.97±0.29°). Overall migration rate of active films was found to be below the permitted limit of 10mg/dm2. The active films showed around 56% of degradation in soil within 15 days. Besides, the active films showed concurring impact against food borne pathogens like E. coli, S. aureus and C. albicans. The CSCT-3 active film presented 90.83% of antioxidant capacity, demonstrating the effective prevention of food oxidation related deterioration. Ladyfinger packaging was inspected to examine the ability of active films as packaging material resulted in effectively resisting deterioration and extending shelf life in comparison with traditional PE packaging.

Facile fabrication and characterization of novel antimicrobial and antioxidant poly (3-hydroxybutyrate)/essential oil composites for potential use in active food packaging applications

Poly (3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) is a bio-based biodegradable biopolymer with excellent potential to substitute petrochemical-based food packaging materials. Nevertheless, low elongation at break is one of the limiting factors for its commercial-scale application in the packaging field. Microbial contamination and lipid oxidation are the two main causes of food spoilage and pose huge challenges to the food industry. In this regard, essential oils are bioactive compounds that, in addition to providing antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, can improve the flexibility of biopolymers. Therefore, to overcome the aforementioned challenges, the current study aimed to fabricate novel PHB composite films loaded with essential oils, viz. grapeseed oil (GS), bergamot oil (BG), and ginger oil (GG), by a simple solution casting technique. To evaluate the potential of prepared PHB/essential oil composites for food packaging applications, extensive characterizations of their mechanical, structural, barrier, optical, and thermal properties were carried out. Interestingly, PHB/essential oil composites demonstrated good UV-blocking properties without affecting its transparency. PHB films loaded with 5 wt% GS showed a 30-fold enhancement in flexibility compared to pristine PHB. The DPPH radical scavenging activities of PHB/5GS, PHB/5BG, and PHB/5GG films are 53.17 ± 4.76, 50.70 ± 3.92 and 86.38 ± 2.73 %, respectively. The antibacterial activities of PHB/5GS, PHB/5BG, and PHB/5GG films against the model bacterium E. coli are 19.72 ± 0.97, 12.62 ± 2.23 and 29.98 ± 2.15 %, respectively, whereas, for S. aureus, the values are 61.56 ± 3.39, 30.28 ± 0.92 and 70.97 ± 0.26 %, respectively. Moreover, the overall migration values of the composite films in simulants representing hydrophilic, acidic, and lipophilic foods did not exceed the prescribed overall migration limit (10 mg/dm2).

Production of PVA-chitosan films using green synthesized ZnO NPs enriched with dragon fruit extract envisaging food packaging applications

In this work, the PVA-chitosan composite packaging films doped with biomass-fabricated zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) and dragon fruit waste extract (DFE) were developed for potential use in food packaging applications. ZnO NPs were synthesized using a sustainable method employing C. sinensis waste extract as a reducing agent. Chitosan and PVA were blended in a specific ratio (1: 1 w/w) to obtain a film-forming solution, into which the ZnO NPs and dragon fruit waste extract were incorporated. The resulting solution was cast into films, which were characterized using various analytical techniques. Mechanical properties, water solubility, and thermal stability of the films were also evaluated. The results demonstrated that the incorporation of green ZnO NPs and dragon fruit waste extract enhanced the mechanical strength and thermal stability of the films while reducing water vapor permeability. Moreover, the films exhibited biocidal and excellent 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging properties, indicating their use in the food packaging sector. The production of these films offers a practical approach to produce bioactive food packaging materials. The use of plant extract and waste material as reducing agents can reduce the overall cost of production while providing added benefits, such as antioxidant and antibacterial properties.

A novel high water-soluble antibacterial films-based guar gum incorporated with Aloe vera gel and ε-polylysine

The high water-soluble films are commonly used in food coating and food encapsulation. In this study, the effect of Aloe vera gel (AV) and ε-polylysine (ε-PL) on the comprehensive properties of films based on guar gum (GG) were investigated. When GG to AV was 8:2, the GG:AV:ε-PL composite films (water solubility = 68.50%) had an 82.42% higher water solubility than pure guar gum (PGG) films (water solubility = 37.55%). Compared with PGG films, the composite films more transparent, better thermal stability and elongation at break. X-ray diffraction and SEM analysis showed the composite films were amorphous structures and the AV and ε-PL did not change the structure of PGG. FITR analysis confirmed the formation of hydrogen bonds within the composite films. Antibacterial properties showed the composite films had a good antibacterial effect against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Therefore, the composite films can be a new option of high water-soluble antibacterial food packaging materials.

Development of Chitosan Green Composites Reinforced with Hemp Fibers: Study of Mechanical and Barrier Properties for Packaging Application

The use of bioresourced packaging materials is an interesting solution for ecological issues. This work aimed to develop novel chitosan-based packaging materials reinforced with hemp fibers (HF). For this purpose, chitosan (CH) films were filled with 15%, 30%, and 50% (w/w) of two kinds of HF: Untreated fibers cut to 1 mm (UHF) and steam exploded fibers (SEHF). The effect of HF addition and HF treatments on chitosan composites was studied in terms of mechanical properties (tensile strength (TS), elongation at break (EB), and Young's modulus (YM)), barrier properties (water vapor (WVP) and oxygen permeabilities), and thermal properties (glass transition (Tg) and melting temperatures (Tm)). The addition of HF, whether untreated or steam exploded, increased the TS of chitosan composites by 34-65%. WVP was significantly reduced by the addition of HF but no significant change was observed for O2 barrier property, which was in the range between 0.44 and 0.68 cm3·mm/m2·d. Tm of the composite films increased from 133 °C for CH films to 171 °C for films filled with 15% SEHF. However, no significant modification was observed for Tg (105-107 °C). The present study showed that the developed biocomposites had improved properties, mainly the mechanical resistance. Their use in food packaging will help industrials the move toward a sustainable development and circular economy.

Superhydrophobic cellulose paper with sustained antibacterial activity prepared by in-situ growth of carvacrol-loaded zinc-based metal organic framework nanorods for food packaging application

Cellulose paper packaging materials have gained considerable attention as substitutes for petroleum-based plastics owing to their biodegradability, renewability, flexibility, and good mechanical strength. However, high hydrophilicity and the absence of essential antibacterial activity limit their application in food packaging. In this study, a facile and energy-saving method was developed to improve the hydrophobicity of cellulose paper and endow it with a long-acting antibacterial effect by integrating cellulose paper substrate with metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). A dense and homogenous coating of regular hexagonal ZnMOF-74 nanorods was in-situ formed on a paper surface by layer-by-layer assembly followed by low-surface-energy polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) modification to prepare a superhydrophobic PDMS@(ZnMOF-74)₅@paper. Excellent anti-fouling, self-cleaning, and antibacterial adhesion performances were obtained for this superhydrophobic paper. In addition, active carvacrol was loaded into the pores of ZnMOF-74 nanorods on PDMS@(ZnMOF-74)₅@paper to combine antibacterial adhesion together with bactericidal ability, ultimately resulting in a completely "bacteria-free" surface and sustained antibacterial performance. The resultant superhydrophobic papers not only showed overall migration values within the limit of 10 mg/dm² but also good stability against various harsh mechanical, environmental, and chemical treatments. This work gave insights into the potential of in-situ-developed MOFs-dopped coating as a functionally modified platform for preparing active superhydrophobic paper-based packaging.

Fabrication and characterization of waste fish scale-derived gelatin/sodium alginate/carvacrol loaded ZIF-8 nanoparticles composite films with sustained antibacterial activity for active food packaging

An environmental-friendly composite films containing waste fish scale-derived gelatin (FSG), sodium alginate (SA) and carvacrol loaded ZIF-8 (CV@ZIF-8) nanoparticles were designed and fabricated to develop active food packaging materials capable of sustained antibacterial activity. The microstructure and physicochemical properties of the FSG/SA/CV@ZIF-8 composite films were investigated. The incorporation of CV@ZIF-8 into FSG/SA matrix significantly enhanced the UV-light blocking and the elongation at break, improved water resistance and reduced water vapor permeability, and improved the thermal stability of composite film. The FSG/SA/CV@ZIF-8 film not only exhibited strong antioxidant activity with DPPH radical scavenging rate of 92.35 %, but also showed the satisfactory and long-acting antibacterial ability against E. coli and S. aureus due to slow release of CV from composite film. Strawberry preservation experiment revealed that FSG/SA/CV@ZIF-8 film decelerated the texture deterioration and retarded the growth of spoilage microorganism, resulting in the prolonged shelf-life of 8 days under ambient condition, indicating its promising application prospect in food preservation packaging.

Opopanax gum and essential oil-based antimicrobial film reinforced with bismuth oxide nanoparticles: Production, characterization, and application in the storage of quail fillets

The aim of this study was to the production of an active film based on Prangos ferulacea root gum, using its leaf's essential oil (PFEO) (0-3 %) and bismuth oxide nanoparticles (Bi₂O₃NPs) (0-3 %). Then, the developed film was used for packaging of quail fillet. Response surface methodology was used to evaluate the effect of PFEO and Bi₂O₃NPs on films' properties. Optimum formulation, including 1.5 % PFEO and 1 % Bi₂O₃NPs, was achieved based on numerical optimization. The optimum film was produced and compared with the control film (based on Prangos ferulacea root gum, without PFEO and Bi₂O₃NPs). According to the results, adding PFEO and Bi₂O₃NPs to the film formulation increased the thickness and antioxidant activity of the film and decreased moisture content, solubility, water vapor permeability, and whiteness index (p < 0.05). The optimum film indicated high antimicrobial effects on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The pH, TVBN, TBA values, coliform, and total bacterial counts of quail fillet packed with the optimum film were lower and sensorial scores were higher than the control samples during the storage(p < 0.05).

Preparation and optimization of tetraethyl orthosilicate cross-linked chitosan-guar gum-poly(vinyl alcohol) composites reinforced with montmorillonite for sustained release of sitagliptin

Development of efficient drug carriers has become an integral part of advanced drug delivery systems. This work aims at developing composites by adopting an economically viable method for sustained release of anti-diabetic drug sitagliptin - a potent and selective dipeptidyl peptidase-IV inhibitor. To combat the harsh environment of gastrointestinal tract, the composite (F13) was prepared using biodegradable polymers namely chitosan, guar gum and poly(vinyl alcohol) with montmorillonite clay as nano-filler and tetraethyl orthosilicate as the cross linker. The composites were characterized using FT-IR, XRD, DSC and SEM techniques. Physical properties such as thickness, swelling capacity, folding endurance and water solubility were studied. In vitro analysis of composites (F17, F19 and F20) in simulated gastric medium showed <14 % cumulative release in 2 h while a sustained release was observed in simulated intestinal medium. Drug release kinetics was investigated using five mathematical models namely zero order, first order, Higuchi, Hixon-Crowell and Korsemeyer-Peppas wherein the latter was the best fit model (R², 0.969). Antimicrobial studies of drug free composite (F13) revealed good activity against bacteria as well as fungi. The results implied that the composites were pH sensitive and could serve as a potential choice for sustained release of drugs.

A Review on Antimicrobial Packaging for Extending the Shelf Life of Food

Food packaging systems are continually impacted by the growing demand for minimally processed foods, changing eating habits, and food safety risks. Minimally processed foods are prone to the growth of harmful microbes, compromising quality and safety. As a result, the need for improved food shelf life and protection against foodborne diseases alongside consumer preference for minimally processed foods with no or lesser synthetic additives foster the development of innovative technologies such as antimicrobial packaging. It is a form of active packaging that can release antimicrobial substances to suppress the activities of specific microorganisms, thereby improving food quality and safety during long-term storage. However, antimicrobial packaging continues to be a very challenging technology. This study highlights antimicrobial packaging concepts, providing different antimicrobial substances used in food packaging. We review various types of antimicrobial systems. Emphasis is given to the effectiveness of antimicrobial packaging in various food applications, including fresh and minimally processed fruit and vegetables and meat and dairy products. For the development of antimicrobial packaging, several approaches have been used, including the use of antimicrobial sachets inside packaging, packaging films, and coatings incorporating active antimicrobial agents. Due to their antimicrobial activity and capacity to extend food shelf life, regulate or inhibit the growth of microorganisms and ultimately reduce the potential risk of health hazards, natural antimicrobial agents are gaining significant importance and attention in developing antimicrobial packaging systems. Selecting the best antimicrobial packaging system for a particular product depends on its nature, desired shelf life, storage requirements, and legal considerations. The current review is expected to contribute to research on the potential of antimicrobial packaging to extend the shelf life of food and also serves as a good reference for food innovation information.

Fabrication and Characterization of Eco-Friendly Polyelectrolyte Bilayer Films Based on Chitosan and Different Types of Edible Citrus Pectin

The eco-friendly polyelectrolyte bilayer films were prepared by layer-by-layer (LBL) casting method using chitosan (CS) and four types of edible citrus pectin as film substrates. The results showed that the polyelectrolyte bilayer films exhibited excellent comprehensive properties. Furthermore, the interaction between CS and pectin was closely related to the degree of methyl-esterification (DM), molecular weight (Mw), and zeta potential of pectin. The low DM, Mw, and high zeta potential of the low methyl-esterified pectin (LM) resulted in a denser internal structure of the bilayer film, stronger UV shielding performance, and stronger gas barrier ability. The high DM and Mw of the high methyl-esterified pectin (HM) endow the bilayer film with stronger mechanical properties, thermal stability, and antifogging property. The microstructural and spectroscopic analysis showed that there are hydrogen bonds and electrostatic interactions between the layers. Overall, the developed CS-pectin polyelectrolyte bilayer films provided potential applications for food bioactive packaging.

Phenolic Extraction of Moringa oleifera Leaves in DES: Characterization of the Extracts and Their Application in Methylcellulose Films for Food Packaging

In this work, a qualitative study of the phenolic content of Moringa oleifera leaves (MO), extracted with deep eutectic solvents (DES) based on choline chloride (ChCl) with lactic acid (LA) or glycerol (GLY), was performed by high-resolution mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD-ESI-MSⁿ). The two solvents (DES-LA and DES-GLY) extract similar classes of phenolics, and ten compounds were identified. The antioxidant profile was also studied (TPC, TFC, DPPH, FRAP, ORAC, and ABTS). Both solvents show an efficient extraction of phenolic compounds and high antioxidant capacity was verified for the extracts. However, the DES-Gly have a higher capacity for polyphenolic extraction (TPC led to 38.409 ± 0.095 mg GAE.g⁻¹ and 2.259 ± 0.023 mg QE.g⁻¹ for TFC). Films based on methylcellulose (MC) containing different amounts of DES or MO extracts, acting as plasticizers, were developed and characterized regarding their mechanical, optical, water vapor permeability, and microstructural properties. All films are uniform, clear, and transparent with smooth, homogeneous surfaces. It was found that the presence of more than 10% of MO extract and/or DES provided more flexible films (Eb for MC 2%_DES 20% achieved 4.330 ± 0.27 %, and 8.15 ± 0.39 % for MC 2%_MO 20%) with less mechanical and barrier resistance. The ultimate objective of this study was to provide information that could assist in the development of antimicrobial active methylcellulose films for sliced wheat bread packaging.

The Importance of Antioxidant Biomaterials in Human Health and Technological Innovation: A Review

Biomaterials come from natural sources such as animals, plants, fungi, algae, and bacteria, composed mainly of protein, lipid, and carbohydrate molecules. The great diversity of biomaterials makes these compounds promising for developing new products for technological applications. In this sense, antioxidant biomaterials have been developed to exert biological and active functions in the human body and industrial formulations. Furthermore, antioxidant biomaterials come from natural sources, whose components can inhibit reactive oxygen species (ROS). Thus, these materials incorporated with antioxidants, mainly from plant sources, have important effects, such as anti-inflammatory, wound healing, antitumor, and anti-aging, in addition to increasing the shelf-life of products. Aiming at the importance of antioxidant biomaterials in different technological segments as biodegradable, economic, and promising sources, this review presents the main available biomaterials, antioxidant sources, and assigned biological activities. In addition, potential applications in the biomedical and industrial fields are described with a focus on innovative publications found in the literature in the last five years.

Biopolymer: A Sustainable Material for Food and Medical Applications

Biopolymers are a leading class of functional material suitable for high-value applications and are of great interest to researchers and professionals across various disciplines. Interdisciplinary research is important to understand the basic and applied aspects of biopolymers to address several complex problems associated with good health and well-being. To reduce the environmental impact and dependence on fossil fuels, a lot of effort has gone into replacing synthetic polymers with biodegradable materials, especially those derived from natural resources. In this regard, many types of natural or biopolymers have been developed to meet the needs of ever-expanding applications. These biopolymers are currently used in food applications and are expanding their use in the pharmaceutical and medical industries due to their unique properties. This review focuses on the various uses of biopolymers in the food and medical industry and provides a future outlook for the biopolymer industry.