Carboxy Methyl Cellulose/Carrageenan Composite Film Incorporated With Nanofibrils for Food Packaging Application

The aim of this study is to develop a self-assembled β-lactoglobulin nanofibril (β-lg Nfs)-incorporated carboxymethyl cellulose/carrageenan (CMC/CG) composite edible film using the solution casting method. The structure and physical interactions of β-lg Nfs within the polymer matrix are evaluated based on their physical, mechanical, barrier, structural, and antimicrobial properties. The results indicate that the incorporation of β-lg Nfs significantly (p ≤ 0.05) increases the thickness, hydrophobicity (contact angle), tensile strength, and elongation at break while decreasing moisture content, solubility, water vapor transmission rate, and oxygen and carbon dioxide transmission. The morphology of β-lg Nfs confirms the formation of well-defined nanofibrils, and the morphology of the edible film confirms a homogeneous structure of CMC/CG edible films, with citric acid acting as a crosslinking agent and the successful incorporation of β-lg Nfs into the CMC/CG film matrix. FT-IR studies confirm the chemical interactions within the film matrix with Nfs. Antimicrobial studies reveal that the CMC/CG-based films show greater activity against E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus . Thus, this research demonstrates that the incorporation of self-assembled protein nanofibrils into edible films enhances their mechanical, barrier, and water resistance properties, along with their structural integrity, making the film suitable for food packaging applications.