Eco-friendly Bio-films from Wheat Straw Cellulose and Chitosan for Sustainable Food Packaging

This study presents the development of eco-friendly bio-films using chitosan (CH) and cellulose (Ce) derived from wheat straw for sustainable food packaging applications. The films were prepared via a solution casting method, incorporating cellulose in varying concentrations (5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25% w/w relative to chitosan) with glycerol (20% w/w relative to chitosan) as a plasticizer. The influence of cellulose on the physical, structural, thermal, and mechanical properties of the CH/Ce films was evaluated and compared to neat chitosan films. Results demonstrated that the addition of cellulose exhibiting a 300% increase in tensile strength compared to the neat CH film. The maximum percentage elongation (16.01 ± 2.1%) was observed for of 20%. Addressing the suitability for heavy-duty packaging material. Analytical techniques such as energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the chemical interactions between chitosan and cellulose. The films also displayed improved thermal degradation resistance, antibacterial activity, and biodegradability, highlighting their potential for environmentally sustainable food packaging. These findings underscore the viability of wheat straw cellulose as a renewable material for enhancing the performance of chitosan-based bio-films, offering a green alternative for packaging applications.

Graphical Abstract