Sustainable bio-based active packaging films: enhancing chitosan with gallic acid-loaded nanoparticles†

Abstract

Given the environmental problems caused by petroleum-based packaging materials, there is an urgent requirement for the development of sustainable bio-based green active packaging materials. Despite this need, the practical application of bio-based polymers, such as chitosan and cellulose, is limited due to their poor mechanical properties and barrier properties. Here, we prepared a novel chitosan-based green active composite film, employing chitosan nanoparticles encapsulating gallic acid as nanofillers. The interfacial interactions between the nanoparticles and chitosan matrix were found to significantly enhance the mechanical properties and barrier properties of the composite film. Moreover, the integration of gallic acid-loaded nanoparticles substantially improved the antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the composite film. These improvements are crucial for inhibiting the proliferation of food-borne microorganisms and the oxidation of lipids, thereby preserving the quality and safety of foods. Freshness preservation experiments have demonstrated that this composite film could effectively mitigate the quality degradation of crayfish meat during storage, thereby verifying its potential application in the field of food packaging. Consequently, this sustainable bio-based green active packaging film has the potential to replace the traditional petroleum-based packaging film and inspires the development of new sustainable bio-based active packaging films.