Composition of a gelatin-based biopolymer film reinforced with Boswellia papyrifera resin extract for use as an active packaging material

Abstract

A composition of a gelatin-based biopolymer film reinforced with Boswellia papyrifera resin extract for use as an active packaging material, comprising: a) gelatin in an amount of approximately 1.5% (w / v) as primary film-forming agent; b) glycerol in an amount of about 0.5% (w / v) as a plasticizer to improve flexibility; and c) Boswellia papyrifera resin extract in an amount of approximately 0.3% (w / v) as a natural antioxidant.

Description

The present invention relates to biodegradable packaging materials. More specifically, it is a gelatin-based film composition reinforced with the extract of Boswellia papyrifera resins. The invention is intended for use as an active packaging material having improved functional and preserving properties.Plastic packaging wastes, especially from the food industry, have become a serious environmental problem because they are not biodegradable and are used excessively often, especially in disposable applications. The widespread dependence on synthetic plastics has led to an alarming environmental pollution which is a risk for ecosystems and human health. In response to these environmental threats, there is an urgent need for persistent alternatives that reduce carbon footprint and promote biodegradability without compromising food safety and preservation.Biopolymers derived from renewable resources have proven to be promising substitutes for conventional plastics in food packaging. Gelatin - a natural protein derived from animal collagen - has attracted great attention because of its excellent film formability, biodegradability and biocompatibility. However, pure gelatin foils often lack the mechanical strength and functional properties required for practical use in active packages. Recent research results suggest that the admixture of other biopolymers and natural bioactive substances can improve the performance of gelatin foils, so that they are more suitable for commercial packaging applications.In this connection, the extract from the resin of Boswellia papyrifera is a valuable supplement for gelatin-based films. This natural resin, which is derived mainly from African dry water, is known for its bioactive and antioxidant properties and has shown that it can maintain the quality of food by preventing oxidative spoilage. By incorporating B. papyriferaextract into gelatin films, the present invention addresses the dual problem of environmental pollution from plastic waste and the need for improved food preservation. The developed active packaging material aims to extend shelf life, to preserve food quality and to reduce dependency on synthetic packaging and thus to contribute to a more durable and health-aware food supply chain.The object of the present disclosure is to provide a biodegradable and sustainable active packaging material obtained from gelatin and Boswellia papyrifireraresin extract.Another object of the present disclosure is to extend the shelf life of spoilage foods by incorporating antioxidant properties into the packaging material.Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a film that combines flexibility, transparency, and mechanical strength and is suitable for various food packaging applications.Another object of the present disclosure is to improve the environmental compatibility of packages by offering an alternative to synthetic plastic films that is biodegradable and compostable.Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a method for producing a gelatin-based active film having constant thickness, mechanical strength and antioxidant properties.Another object of the present disclosure is to enable the incorporation of natural bioactive agents such as Boswellia papyrifirera resin extract into biopolymer films for improved food preservation.Another object of the present disclosure is to ensure compatibility of the film with food by maintaining biocompatibility and safety for direct contact with food.The present invention relates to a novel gelatin-based biopolymer film reinforced with Boswellia papyrifirera resin extract and serving as an active packaging material. It addresses the environmental problems associated with plastic packaging by offering a biodegradable, lasting alternative. The film combines the functional properties of gelatin and natural antioxidants to extend the shelf life of foods.Another embodiment of the present invention is that the base of the film is made of 1.5% (w / v) gelatin derived from bovine collagen, a widely used biopolymer for film formation. Gelatin offers desirable properties such as biodegradability and biocompatibility. The matrix of the film is flexible and easy to handle making it ideal for use in food packages.A further embodiment of the present invention consists in that, in order to improve the flexibility of the film, glycerol is added at a level of 0.5% (w / v), which acts as a plasticizer. This addition allows the film to flex and stretch without compromising its structural integrity.In another embodiment of the present invention, the active packaging film is further improved by the addition of 0.3% (w / v) Boswellia papyrifirera resin extract. This natural resin provides antioxidant properties which contribute to food quality preservation.In another embodiment of the present invention, the films were evaluated for both their physical and chemical properties to determine their suitability for active packaging applications.Another embodiment of the present invention is physical evaluation, which comprises measuring thickness with a digital micrometer, evaluating transparency and haze with a haze meter, and testing mechanical properties (tensile strength and elongation at break) with a universal tester.In another embodiment of the present invention, the evaluations focused on the antioxidant activity evaluated by the DPPH free radical scavenger test, as well as on X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) structural analysis to examine crystallinity and surface morphology.Another embodiment of the present invention is that the film has significant antioxidant activity, as measured by the DPPH free radical scavenging assay, with scavenging activity above 50%.The present invention relates to a novel active packaging material comprising a gelatin-based biopolymer film reinforced with Boswellia papyrifirera resin extract. The film has been developed to overcome the ecological challenges of plastic packages by providing a biodegradable, persistent alternative. The base of the film is made of 1.5% gelatin derived from bovine collagen and combined with 0.5% glycerin as a plasticizer to improve flexibility and durability. The peculiarity lies in the admixture of 0.3% Boswellia papyrifera resin extract, a natural source of antioxidants, which substantially lengthens the shelf life of spoilage foods by reducing oxidative deterioration. The resulting film not only has good mechanical strength and flexibility, but also maintains high transparency with slight haze by the extract. With its ability to protect foods while being environmentally friendly, this invention provides a promising solution to the growing problem of waste plastics in the food industry and is thus an ideal alternative for lasting food packages.EXAMPLE 1: COMPOSITIONThe composition of a gelatin-based biopolymer film reinforced with Boswellia papyrifera resin extract for use as an active packaging material, comprising: a) gelatin in an amount of about 1.5% (w / v) as a primary film-forming agent; b) glycerin in an amount of about 0.5% (w / v) as a plasticizer for improving flexibility; and c) Boswellia papyrifera resin extract in an amount of about 0.3% (w / v) as a natural antioxidant.EXAMPLE 2: Development of an active packaging materialA 1.5% gelatin solution (bovine) was prepared by dissolving the powder in distilled water with constant stirring at 50°C for two hours to ensure homogeneity. To improve flexibility of the film, glycerin (0.5%) was added as a plasticizer. The gelatin solution was then divided into two labelled beakers, GB1 (control) and GB2 (containing 0.3% B. papyrifera resin extract). After thorough mixing to ensure uniform distribution of the extract, 20 ml of each beaker was poured into pre-leveled petri dishes and dried at room temperature under controlled conditions. After drying was complete, the films were carefully peeled off and stored in a desiccator for subsequent analysis.Visual inspection of the developed biopolymeric films showed that both GB1 (control) and GB2 (loaded with the extract) were transparent and had a uniform structure. However, in the GB2 film, a distinct color difference was found due to the uptake of the Boswellia papyrifirera resin extract. This color change indicates successful incorporation of the extract into the film matrix and may also reflect changes in the chemical composition of the film.EXAMPLE 3: Measurement of film thicknessThe thickness of the gelatin-based films (GB1 and GB2) was determined with a digital micrometer. The measurements were taken at five randomly selected points of each film sample to ensure accuracy and consistency. The average of these five readings was recorded and used to represent the thickness of the individual types of film.The results show that the thickness of the control film (GB1) was 0.08 ± 0.01 mm, while the extract-loaded film (GB2) had a slightly increased thickness of 0.096 ± 0.005 mm. This increase is probably due to interactions between the bioactive extract components and the gelatin matrix as well as to the physical properties of the extract itself. As for optical clarity, transmittance values of 92.25 ± 0.077 were determined for GB1 and 89.68 ± 1.28 for GB2, indicating a decrease in transparency due to incorporation of the extract. In addition, haze values increased from 2.093 ± 0.36 in GB1 to 4.70 ± 1.37 in GB2.EXAMPLE 4: Optical Properties (Transparency and Haze):The optical clarity of the GB1 and GB2 films was evaluated by measuring their transparency and haze. These parameters were determined with a haze meter that quantitates the amount of transmitted and scattered light through the film samples.The transparency of the films was measured and was 92.25±0.077% for the control film (GB1) and 89.68±1.28% for the film with Boswellia papyrifera resin extract (GB2). The slight decrease in transparency in GB2 indicates the influence of the resin extract on light transmittance. Haze value increased from 2.093±0.36 for GB1 to 4.70±1.37 for GB2, indicating a slight decrease in optical clarity due to admixture of the extract.EXAMPLE 5: Mechanical properties:For evaluation of mechanical strength, the tensile strength and the elongation at break of the films were measured. The film samples were conditioned at 25°C and 50% relative humidity (RH) for 40 hours prior to testing. To carry out the tests, a universal testing machine with a 5 kg load cell and a traverse speed of 30 mm / min was used.The mechanical tests showed minimal effects on the tensile strength (TS) and elongation at break (EAB) of the films after addition of the resin extract. The results show that a slight increase in tensile strength from 0.053 ± 0.001 MPa in GB1 to 0.057 ± 0.002 MPa in GB2 was observed. Conversely, the EAB values showed a slight decrease from 103±3.79% to 100±1.41% after incorporation of the extract.EXAMPLE 6: Antioxidant activity:The antioxidant activity of the film samples was evaluated using the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenger test. The absorbance of the reaction mixture was measured at 517 nm with a UV-Vis spectrophotometer. All measurements were made in triplicate and the average capture activity was calculated to determine the potential of the films to prevent oxidative degradation in packaged foods.The results show that the radical scavenging activity of the DPPH radical increased significantly from 12.63 ± 1.055% in the control film to 51.9 ± 2.94% in the extract loaded film. This significant improvement is attributed to the presence in the resin extract of bioactive phytochemicals such as phenols and flavonoids, which are known for their strong antioxidant properties and their potential for food preservation.EXAMPLE 7: Characterization of Evolved MaterialThe structural and morphological characteristics of the developed gelatin-based films were analyzed by means of advanced characterization techniques. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis was performed with a diffractometer to evaluate the crystallinity of the film samples.The results show that both the GB1 and GB2 films have a broad diffraction peak around 20° on the 20 scale, indicating a semicrystalline nature of the gelatin-based matrix. The admixture of Boswellia papyrifera resin extract did not substantially alter the diffraction pattern, indicating that the extract had minimal effects on the entire crystalline structure of the films.In addition, the surface morphology of the films was examined by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). This analysis allowed detailed visualization of the surface texture, uniformity, and potential interactions between gelatin and Boswellia papyrifirera resin extract within the film matrix.The results show that the control film (GB1) had a smooth, uniform surface without visible pores or particles, indicating a well formed gelatin matrix. In contrast, the extract-loaded film (GB2) had the presence of small particles dispersed on the surface. These surface irregularities indicate the incorporation of the Boswellia papyrifera resin extract, possibly due to interactions between the extract and the gelatin matrix.Examples1. The composition of a gelatin-based biopolymer film reinforced with Boswellia papyrifera resin extract for use as an active packaging material, comprising: a) gelatin in an amount of about 1.5% (w / v) as a primary film-forming agent; b) glycerin in an amount of about 0.5% (w / v) as a plasticizer for improving flexibility; and c) Boswellia papyrifera resin extract in an amount of about 0.3% (w / v) as a natural antioxidant.

Claims

A composition of a gelatin-based biopolymer film reinforced with Boswellia papyrifera resin extract for use as an active packaging material, comprising: a) gelatin in an amount of about 1.5% (w / v) as a primary film-forming agent; b) glycerin in an amount of about 0.5% (w / v) as a plasticizer for improving flexibility; and c) Boswellia papyrifera resin extract in an amount of about 0.3% (w / v) as a natural antioxidant.The composition of claim 1, wherein the gelatin is derived from a bovine source.The composition of claim 1, wherein the film has a transmission value between 89% and 92% and a haze value in the range of 2 to 5, indicating high optical clarity with slight haze due to the resin extract.The composition of claim 1, wherein the tensile strength of the film is in the range of 0.053 MPa to 0.057 MPa and the elongation at break is between 100% and 103%, which shows good mechanical properties for use as a food package.The composition of claim 1, wherein the Boswellia papyrifera resin extract has an antioxidant activity, as measured by a DPPH free radical scavenging assay, with a scavenging activity of at least 50%.The composition of claim 1, wherein the film is biodegradable and compostable and is suitable for use as an environmentally friendly food packaging material.