Double-Layered Films Based on Furcellaran, Chitosan, and Gelatin Hydrolysates Enriched with AgNPs in Yerba Mate Extract, Montmorillonite, and Curcumin with Rosemary Essential Oil

Abstract

Double-layered active films based on furcellaran (1st layer—FUR), chitosan, and gelatin hydrolysates (2nd layer—CHIT+HGEL) were successfully prepared. Bioactive ingredients were added to the 1st film layer: AgNPs, which were synthesized in situ with yerba mate extract; montmorillonite clay (MMT); and different loads of ethanolic curcumin (CUR) extract enriched with rosemary essential oil (REO). SEM images confirmed the presence of AgNPs with a size distribution of 94.96 ± 3.33 nm throughout the films, and AFM and SEM photos indicated that the higher substance concentrations had rougher and more porous film microstructures. However, the water vapor transmission rate was reduced only at the lowest load of this ingredient. Despite the tensile strength of the films having decreased, the incorporation of the compounds showed a tendency towards reducing the modulus of elasticity, resulting in a lower stiffness of the composites. The addition of CUR and AgNPs improved the UV light barrier properties of the materials. The presented films showed quick reactions to changes in the pH value (from orange to red along with an increase in pH from 2 to 10), which indicates their potential use as indicators for monitoring the freshness of food products. Composite No. 2 showed the highest antimicrobial potential, while none of the presented films showed an antifungal effect. Finally, the antioxidant activities of the films increased dramatically at higher AgNP and CUR loads, suggesting an outstanding potential for active food packaging applications.

Enhanced Functional Properties for Packaging Applications Using Sodium Alginate/Starch Bilayer and Multilayer Films

“…However, major challenges remain for biobased, biodegradable polymers toward practical packaging applications, especially poor moisture barrier and heat sealability issues. Examples of biodegradable bilayer or multilayer films published in previous works include chitosan/starch, polyhydroxyalkanoate/butenediol vinyl alcohol, protein/gelatin/sodium alginate, poly­(lactic acid)/gelatin/poly­(lactic acid), sodium alginate/polyethyleneimine/poly­(lactic acid), gelatin/sodium alginate, poly­(lactic acid)/chitosan/nanocellulose, sulfated carboxymethylcellulose sodium/chitosan/poly­(lactic acid), and furcellaran/chitosan/gelatin. − …”

Sugar Palm Starch/Chitosan Bionanocomposite Films Incorporated with Anthocyanin and Curcumin: Thermal Properties and Release Kinetics

“…Curcumin, derived from turmeric rhizomes, has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-cancer properties (Li et al, 2022), and has been investigated as a bioactive agent in functional packaging films for food applications (Filho and Egea, 2022). Anthocyanin, whether derived from mulberry or other sources, has UV barrier properties, enhances film color stability (Jamroz et al, 2022), pH-responsive properties for monitoring pH changes (Aliabbasi et al, 2021), and antibacterial properties that could be useful in inhibiting bacterial growth in food products (Roy and Rhim, 2020). Curcumin and anthocyanin both have the potential to improve the functionality and bioactivity of biocomposite packaging films, enabling them to be used in food packaging.…”

Blends of Chitosan and Water Kefir Grain Biomass Incorporated with Nanosilica

“…Among the biopolymers produced from industrial waste, chitosan (CH) is one of the most abundant sources of polysaccharides in nature [5], and it is obtained from the deacetylation of chitin, which is found mainly in the exoskeleton of crustaceans, mollusks, fungi, and insects [6]. The main sources of commercial CH are by-products of the seafood processing industry [7].…”

“…The main sources of commercial CH are by-products of the seafood processing industry [7]. CH consists of two subunits, D-glucosamine (deacetylated unit) and N-acetyl-d-glucosamine (acetylated unit), which are linked linearly by 1,4-glycosidic bonds [6,[8][9][10][11]. Besides presenting low toxicity, biodegradability, and biocompatibility, CH also presents antimicrobial, antioxidant, and good film-forming properties, which makes it an attractive material in the production of packaging films [6,11].…”

“…CH consists of two subunits, D-glucosamine (deacetylated unit) and N-acetyl-d-glucosamine (acetylated unit), which are linked linearly by 1,4-glycosidic bonds [6,[8][9][10][11]. Besides presenting low toxicity, biodegradability, and biocompatibility, CH also presents antimicrobial, antioxidant, and good film-forming properties, which makes it an attractive material in the production of packaging films [6,11]. However, although it is possible to obtain CH films with relatively good tensile strength, they are generally brittle, which limits their applications [6].…”