Flower Extract–Polyvinyl Alcohol‐Based Biocomposites for Sustainable Food Packaging Applications

Abstract

The proliferation of single‐use plastics has led to widespread pollution and ecological harm, prompting a concerted effort to develop sustainable alternatives. Among them, biocomposite plastic films have emerged as a promising solution for food packing applications. Herein, the preparation of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) biocomposite films incorporating Clitoria ternatea (CT) flower extracts is reported. The obtained films are subjected to various analytical techniques. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis reveals the intense peak of hydrogen bonding at 3321 cm−1 in the composite film. CT‐PVA films possess less opacity and UV light‐blocking capabilities. The PVA‐CT films are examined for water absorption, UV barrier, soil degradability, and water‐soluble properties, greater propensity to dissolve in water during the water absorption test is noticed. Enzymatic oxidation followed by hydrolysis of functional groups enhances the soil degradation rate in biocomposite films. Further, the colorimetric study of CT‐PVA solution at different pH shows colored CT–PVA films. From the results and observations, the CT‐PVA biocomposite film (8 mL) proves to be a promising candidate for utilization in the food industry as a packaging material.