Fabrication of Copper Sulfide Nanoparticles and Limonene Incorporated Pullulan/Carrageenan-Based Film with Improved Mechanical and Antibacterial Properties

Abstract

Edible biopolymer (pullulan/carrageenan) based functional composite films were fabricated by the addition of copper sulfide nanoparticles (CuSNP) and D-limonene (DL). The DL and CuSNP were compatible with the pullulan/carrageenan biopolymer matrix. The addition of CuSNP significantly increased the UV-blocking properties without substantially reducing the transparency of the film. The addition of CuSNP improved the film’s tensile strength by 10%; however, the DL addition did not significantly influence the strength, while the combined addition of CuSNP and DL increased the strength by 15%. The addition of the fillers did not significantly affect the thermal stability of the film, but the water vapor barrier property was slightly improved. There was no significant change in the moisture content and hydrophobicity of the composite film. Besides, the composite film showed some antimicrobial activity against food-borne pathogenic bacteria. The fabricated pullulan/carrageenan-based film with antimicrobial and UV-barrier properties is likely to be used in active food packaging applications.

Preparation and Characterization of Carboxymethyl Cellulose-Based Bioactive Composite Films Modified with Fungal Melanin and Carvacrol

“…The packaging industry is currently dominated by synthetic polymers (plastics) due to their low price and excellent functionality (mechanical strength and high barrier properties). Based on available data, the annual plastics production exceeds 400 million tons, and around 40% is used for packaging purposes [ 1 ]. Petroleum-based packaging materials are increasingly falling-out of favour due to their unsustainable production and the environmental burden of plastic [ 1 , 2 ].…”

“…Based on available data, the annual plastics production exceeds 400 million tons, and around 40% is used for packaging purposes [ 1 ]. Petroleum-based packaging materials are increasingly falling-out of favour due to their unsustainable production and the environmental burden of plastic [ 1 , 2 ]. The development of biodegradable packaging materials is an effective alternative to synthetic packaging materials based on petrochemical products [ 3 , 4 ].…”

“…They are defined as polymers that undergo microbially-induced chain scission, leading to mineralization. Carbohydrates are used to manufacture biopolymer packaging films due to their excellent film-forming ability, good gas barrier properties, and mechanical properties [ 1 ]. Among naturally occurring biopolymers, cellulose is the most abundant one.…”

Development and Characterization of Bioactive Poly(butylene-succinate) Films Modified with Quercetin for Food Packaging Applications

“…However, they have some disadvantages, such as association with other packaging materials and non-biodegradability, which makes them difficult to manage [ 2 ]. Based on available data, the annual plastics production exceeds 400 million tons, and around 40% is used for packaging purposes [ 7 ]. The increasing consumption of non-biodegradable plastics and large amount of waste material have led to severe deterioration and pollution of the environment as well as social problems [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ].…”

Synthesis of D-Limonene Loaded Polymeric Nanoparticles with Enhanced Antimicrobial Properties for Potential Application in Food Packaging

“…The EOs can be used in these systems as additives in films or coatings, either directly or in the form of micro- and nano-encapsulated systems [ 16 , 17 ]. The direct blending of citrus EOs with polymeric materials, either natural or synthetic, is often considered the most effective approximation for the development of an active antimicrobial food packaging [ 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 ]. Nevertheless, the encapsulation of an EO in nano-capsules is considered advantageous compared to the direct blending of an EO, in terms of protection from evaporation and possible thermal or photodegradation [ 15 ].…”