Sodium alginate-nanocellulose-based active composite film for edible oils packaging applications†

Edible oils are prone to spoilage through aerial oxidation, leading to a reduction in their shelf life. In this study, we developed a nanocomposite biopolymer film designed for packaging edible oils. To enhance the antioxidant properties of the film, an extract from Moringa oleifera plants was obtained through solvent extraction and incorporated into the biopolymer. This infusion of plant extract bestowed antioxidant characteristics upon the resulting material. It was determined by GC–MS that Moringa oleifera water extract contains 9-octadecenamide, (Z)-(an Oleamide), which provides antioxidant properties. Additionally, cellulose nanofibers (CNF) were extracted from Terminalia arjuna plant fruits using the acid hydrolysis method. These CNFs were further introduced into the biopolymer to reinforce its mechanical properties of the biopolymer. The stability of the biopolymer film was evaluated in various edible oils (viz. mustard oil, olive oil, soybean oil, and sunflower oil), and the optimized nanocomposite film exhibited a tensile strength of approximately 44 MPa in the dry state. The antioxidant capacity was assessed using DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS (2,2′-azina-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)) free radical scavenging assays. The plant extract-based biopolymer nanocomposite film, specifically the (0.25CNF-4WME-SA) formulation, demonstrated the highest antioxidant activity, reaching 60.55% and 41.33% against ABTS and DPPH, respectively. The practical effectiveness of the 0.25CNF-4WME-SA film was further demonstrated through its application in packaging edible oil, showcasing its ability to scavenge free radicals generated during the storage of edible oil. The cytotoxicity of the fabricated film was evaluated using CC1 hepatocyte cells as an in vitro model. The developed nanocomposite material, incorporating plant extract, holds promise as an active packaging material for edible oils.