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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania » Eastern Regional Research Center » Microbial and Chemical Food Safety » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #418673
Research Project: Integration and Validation of Alternative and Multiple Intervention Technologies to Enhance Microbial Safety, Quality, and Shelf-life of Food

Location: Microbial and Chemical Food Safety

Title: Biodegradable food packaging films from agricultural processing byproducts

Author
item Hussain, Syed Ammar
item Sharma, Brajendra - Bk
item Yadav, Madhav
item Qi, Phoebe
item Jin, Zhonglin

Submitted to: Polymers
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/1/2024
Publication Date: 11/14/2024
Citation: Hussain, S., Sharma, B.K., Yadav, M.P., Qi, P.X., Jin, Z.T. 2024. Biodegradable food packaging films from agricultural processing byproducts. Polymers. 16(22). https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16223171.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16223171

Interpretive Summary: Most packaging materials are derived from non-renewable petrochemical sources, which are not sustainable and negatively impact the environment. This study aimed to develop biodegradable food packaging films using agricultural byproducts (Hemicellulose and cellulose derivatives). Physicochemical properties such as peel-ability, foldability, transparency, gas permeability and the mechanical strength of films were evaluated. The results reveal that these properties were improved with the assistance of plasticizers (glycerol and polyethylene glycol). This research demonstrates an approach to the development of sustainable packaging solutions, reducing reliance on synthetic plastics and mitigating their environmental impact.

Technical Abstract: This study aims to develop and evaluate the mechanical and physicochemical properties of novel biodegradable films by combining hemicellulose B (HB) with methylcellulose (MC) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) at two mass ratios, HB/MC 90/10 and HB/CMC 60/40. The effect of plasticizers, glycerol (GLY) and polyethylene glycol (PEG), on these films was also investigated. Results showed that the film thickness increased with the addition of GLY and PEG. Moisture content was lower in plasticized films, contributing to better preservation. Color analysis revealed significant changes in lightness and yellowness, with plasticizers inducing more pronounced color differences. Physical attributes such as peel ability, foldability, and transparency were also improved, particularly in films with higher GLY and PEG concentrations. The addition of plasticizers enhanced the mechanical properties, particularly in HB/CMC films significantly, evidenced by improved tensile stress, elongation, elastic modulus, and toughness. Oxygen and water vapor permeabilities, a critical factor in food packaging, were reduced in the HB/MC films with plasticizers compared to the HB/CMC counterparts. The findings of this study are crucial for developing sustainable packaging solutions. By enhancing the functional properties of biopolymer films, biobased plasticizer, like glycerol can help reduce reliance on conventional plastics, thereby contributing to environmental sustainability and the reduction of plastic waste.