An all-natural strategy for versatile biomass-based active food packaging film with superior biodegradability, antioxidant and antimicrobial activity

Abstract

To advance “green” food development, the use of more versatile biomass-based, biodegradable food packaging has been frequently proposed. Specifically, an innovative biomass-based active food packaging film (SEC) was hereby introduced based on an all-natural strategy with natural soy protein isolate (SPI) and carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) as raw materials. The results demonstrated the SEC had favorable anti-UV (UV blocking reached 98.5 %), antioxidant activity, biocompatibility and biodegradability, and the inhibition rates for Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus reached 99.37 % and 97 %, respectively. Finally, the grape preservation experiment revealed that SEC could extend the shelf life of grapes more than 15 days. This study utilizes the active functional groups such as hydroxyl and amino groups on CMCS, which can undergo addition reactions with the epoxy groups on EGDE. This innovation not only maximizes the recycling value of natural biomass but also offers a novel approach to the sustainable production of green food packaging.