Enhancing the preservation of blueberry with a tough and biodegradable soy protein isolate-carboxymethyl chitosan film integrated with TiO2 nanotube arrays

Abstract

This study focuses on developing a tough, biodegradable film made from soy protein isolate (SPI) and carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS), enhanced with titanium dioxide nanotube arrays (TNTAs). The main objective was to improve the hydrophobicity, mechanical strength, and thermal stability of SPI/CMCS films by incorporating TNTAs, making them suitable for food packaging, particularly in preserving high-moisture fruits like blueberries. The TNTAs were synthesized using anodic oxidation and integrated into the SPI/CMCS matrix through a solution-casting method. The resulting films exhibited enhanced mechanical properties, including higher tensile strength and better water resistance, without compromising biodegradability. Additionally, the SPI/CMCS/TNTAs composite films effectively maintain blueberry quality and extend their shelf life. These results suggest that SPI/CMCS/TNTAs films are promising candidates for sustainable and effective food packaging applications.