Composition of chitosan-based thin films as active packaging materials

Abstract

Composition of chitosan-based thin films as active packaging material, comprising: a) Chitosan as primary biopolymer matrix; b) a methanolic extract of Commiphora mukul resin; and c) a methanolic extract of Commiphora kua resin; the composition forming a uniform, biodegradable film having improved antioxidant properties and a semi-crystalline structure suitable for use in food packaging applications.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a composition of chitosan-based thin films enriched with Commiphora mukul and Commiphora kua resins for use as active packaging materials. It focuses on enhancing antioxidant properties to improve biopolymer-based food packaging applications. The invention relates to the fields of biodegradable packaging, natural resins, and food safety technology.

[0002] While convenient and cost-effective, plastic packaging poses a major environmental and health problem. Global reliance on single-use plastics leads to ongoing pollution of terrestrial and marine ecosystems. Furthermore, harmful chemicals leaching from plastic packaging pose a risk to human health and food safety. These issues underscore the urgent need for sustainable, biodegradable alternatives that do not compromise performance, especially for food packaging.

[0003] Chitosan, a natural biopolymer derived from chitin, offers a promising alternative due to its biodegradability, biocompatibility, and film-forming properties. It exhibits suitable mechanical strength and barrier properties, making it ideal for food preservation. However, to match or exceed the functionality of synthetic packaging materials, chitosan-based films require functional enhancements, particularly in their antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Natural additives, particularly plant extracts, are increasingly being explored to address these limitations and provide bioactivity without harmful side effects.

[0004] Among the potential bioactive enhancers, the resins of Commiphora mukul and Commiphora kua stand out due to their traditional and scientifically proven therapeutic properties. These resins possess potent antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, making them ideal candidates for incorporation into chitosan films. By enriching chitosan-based thin films with these natural resins, the invention addresses the dual challenge of improving the functionality of the films and reducing environmental impact. This innovation aims to deliver an effective, sustainable active packaging material suitable for the preservation of perishable goods.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an environmentally friendly, biodegradable alternative to plastic packaging.

[0006] Another objective of the present disclosure is to use natural, non-toxic materials that are safe for both consumers and the environment.

[0007] Another objective of the present disclosure is to improve the transparency of the film and maintain the visibility of the product to the consumer.

[0008] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide mechanical strength and flexibility suitable for various packaging applications.

[0009] Another object of the present disclosure is to reduce environmental pollution caused by conventional plastic packaging.

[0010] Another objective of the present disclosure is the inclusion of plant-based bioactive compounds that improve the functionality of the film.

[0011] Another objective of the present disclosure is to support sustainable packaging solutions through the use of renewable resources.

[0012] Further objects and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0013] The present invention relates to the development of chitosan-based thin films for active packaging applications. These films are enriched with extracts of Commiphora mukul and Commiphora kua resins, which impart enhanced antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.

[0014] Another embodiment of the present invention is chitosan, the primary biopolymer material used in the films, which is derived from natural sources such as crustacean shells, fungal biomass, or insect exoskeletons. Its biodegradable and non-toxic nature makes it an ideal basis for the production of environmentally friendly packaging materials.

[0015] In another embodiment of the present invention, resin extracts from Commiphora mukul and Commiphora kua are incorporated into the chitosan films to improve their functional properties. These natural resins contribute significantly to antioxidant and antimicrobial activity and improve the shelf life of packaged foods.

[0016] Another aspect of the present invention is that the resulting films have a uniform, smooth surface and are easily peeled from Petri dishes. The thickness of the films is uniform, ensuring reliable mechanical performance and suitability for various packaging requirements.

[0017] The present invention relates to the composition of chitosan-based thin films for use as active packaging materials. These films are enriched with natural resin extracts from Commiphora mukul and Commiphora kua, which exhibit additional antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. The chitosan-based films are biodegradable, nontoxic, and offer mechanical strength, flexibility, and transparency, making them suitable for food packaging. By incorporating plant-based bioactive compounds, the films are optimized for the preservation of perishable goods while reducing environmental impact. EXAMPLE 1: Composition

[0018] A composition of chitosan-based thin films as an active packaging material, comprising: a) Chitosan as primary biopolymeric matrix; b) a methanolic extract of Commiphora mukul resin; and c) a methanolic extract of Commiphora kua resin; wherein the chitosan is derived from a natural source selected from the group consisting of crustacean shells, fungal biomass, and insect exoskeletons; wherein the concentration of Commiphora mukul resin extract is 0.2% (w / v) and Commiphora kua resin extract is 0.2% (w / v); wherein the composition forms a uniform, biodegradable film having improved antioxidant and antimicrobial properties and a semi-crystalline structure suitable for use in food packaging applications. EXAMPLE 2: Extraction process

[0019] The resins of Commiphora kua and Commiphora mukul were extracted using a methanol-based maceration technique. The resin of C. kua (1.2 kg) was pulverized and extracted with 2.0 L of methanol at room temperature for three consecutive days, which was repeated three times. The combined extracts were concentrated under reduced pressure to obtain 850 g of a reddish-brown methanol extract. Similarly, 550 g of C. mukul resin was finely ground and soaked in 1.5 L of methanol for three extractions over five days. The solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure to obtain 438.5 g of methanol extract. EXAMPLE 3: Development of an active packaging material

[0020] A 2% chitosan solution was prepared by dissolving the biopolymer in a 1% acetic acid solution with continuous stirring at 40°C for three hours to obtain a homogeneous mixture. To increase the flexibility of the film, glycerol (1%) was added as a plasticizer. The chitosan solution was then divided into two labeled beakers: CC1 (containing 0.2% C. mukul resin extract) and CC2 (containing 0.2% C. kua resin extract). The mixtures were stirred thoroughly to ensure even distribution of the extracts. Subsequently, 20 ml from each beaker was poured into previously leveled Petri dishes and dried at room temperature under controlled conditions. After complete drying, the films were carefully peeled off and stored in a desiccator for further analysis. EXAMPLE 4: Film thickness measurement:

[0021] The thickness of the chitosan-based films (samples CC1 and CC2) was measured using a digital micrometer. Measurements were taken at five random positions on each film to ensure consistency, and the average of these values ​​was recorded as the final thickness.

[0022] The dried film samples were easily peeled from the Petri dishes and exhibited a consistent, uniform structure. The thickness of the CC1 film (with C. mukul extract) was 0.07333 ± 0.005 mm, while the CC2 film (with C. kua extract) was slightly thicker at 0.08 ± 0.01 mm. EXAMPLE 5: Evaluation of transparency and turbidity:

[0023] The transparency and haze of the films were evaluated using a haze meter. This evaluation helped determine the optical clarity of the films, an important parameter for packaging applications where product visibility is critical.

[0024] The results show that the transmittance values ​​of the CC1 and CC2 films were 88.55 ± 0.156% and 87.27 ± 0.02%, respectively, indicating good optical clarity. The haze values ​​were 19.41 ± 2.92 for CC1 and 17.96 ± 0.33 for CC2, which was due to light scattering due to the extract particles dispersed in the film matrix. EXAMPLE 6: Mechanical properties

[0025] To evaluate the mechanical properties, tensile strength and elongation at break were measured using a universal tester equipped with a 5 kg load cell and a crosshead speed of 30 mm / min. Prior to testing, the films were conditioned for 40 hours in a controlled environment of 25 °C and 50% relative humidity to ensure uniform moisture content.

[0026] The results show that the tensile strength values ​​are 0.09773 ± 0.002 MPa for CC1 and 0.09233 ± 0.003 MPa for CC2. The elongation at break (EAB) was slightly higher for CC2 (106.49 ± 2%) than for CC1 (103.11 ± 1.83%), indicating flexibility of both film types with minimal deviations. EXAMPLE 7: Antioxidant activity

[0027] The antioxidant potential of the films was tested using the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) assay. Absorbance was measured at 517 nm to determine free radical scavenging activity. All measurements were performed in triplicate, and the average scavenging activity was calculated to evaluate the functional bioactivity of the films.

[0028] The results showed that CC1 inhibited free radicals by 50.99 ± 2.3%, while CC2 showed a slightly stronger inhibition of 54.95 ± 2.3%. These results highlight the effective bioactivity of the two resin-loaded films, with CC2 showing slightly better antioxidant performance. EXAMPLE 8: X-ray diffraction (XRD):

[0029] The crystalline structure of the developed films was characterized using a Bruker D8 Discover X-ray diffractometer. This analysis provided information on the degree of crystallinity and the molecular arrangement within the film matrix.

[0030] The XRD patterns of films CC1 and CC2 showed a broad peak around 20° (2θ), indicating the semi-crystalline nature of the materials. EXAMPLE 9: Scanning electron microscopy (SEM):

[0031] The surface morphology of the films was examined using a JSM6510LA Analytical Jeol scanning electron microscope (SEM). This technique allowed for detailed visualization of surface features such as texture, uniformity, and dispersion of the resin particles in the chitosan matrix.

[0032] SEM analysis of the CC1 and CC2 films revealed smooth and uniform surface structures with some visible particles distributed throughout the film matrix. These surface features indicate a uniform distribution of the resin extracts in the chitosan base, which contributes to the structural integrity of the films. EXAMPLE 10: Statistical Analysis

[0033] All experimental data were expressed as means ± standard deviation (SD), with a sample size of n=3. Statistical comparisons between different sample groups were performed using a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by a Fisher post hoc test to determine the significance of the observed differences. Examples 1. A composition of chitosan-based thin films as an active packaging material, comprising: a) Chitosan as primary biopolymer matrix; b) a methanolic extract of Commiphora mukul resin; and c) a methanolic extract of Commiphora kua resin; , wherein the composition forms a uniform, biodegradable film having improved antioxidant properties and a semi-crystalline structure suitable for use in food packaging applications.

Claims

[1] Composition of chitosan-based thin films as active packaging material, comprising: a) Chitosan as primary biopolymer matrix; b) a methanolic extract of Commiphora mukul resin; and c) a methanolic extract of Commiphora kua resin; the composition forming a uniform, biodegradable film having improved antioxidant properties and a semi-crystalline structure suitable for use in food packaging applications. [2] The composition of claim 1, wherein the chitosan is derived from a natural source selected from the group consisting of crustacean shells, fungal biomass, and insect exoskeletons. [3] The composition of claim 1, wherein the concentration of the Commiphora mukul resin extract is 0.2% (w / v) based on the total weight of the chitosan film. [4] The composition of claim 1, wherein the concentration of the Commiphora kua resin extract is 0.2% (w / v) based on the total weight of the chitosan film. [5] The composition of claim 1, wherein the chitosan-based thin film has a thickness in the range of 0.05 mm to 0.2 mm. [6] The composition of claim 1, wherein the film has a transmission value of at least 80% and a haze value of less than 25%. [7] The composition of claim 1, wherein the chitosan-based film has a tensile strength between 0.05 MPa and 0.15 MPa and an elongation at break between 80% and 150%.