Assessment of antioxidant activity and physicochemical properties of polymeric bio-composites using natural extract for active food packaging application

The incorporation of natural extracts into polymeric films has been a significant advancement as active and eco-friendly food packaging. Chitosan (Ch) based films incorporated with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and Tectona grandis leaf extract (TGLE) were prepared. The controlled films of Ch/PEG blends showed phase separation, but on the inclusion of TGLE, the films became homogeneous. As the concentration of TGLE was increased to 5% v/v, DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) free radical scavenging activity of the Ch/PEG/TGLE composite films increased up to 87.52%. The addition of TGLE in the films significantly reduced the water content, solubility, and swelling of the films which are considered as favourable properties of packaging films that help in increasing the shelf life of food products. However, with the addition of the extract, the UV-visible light-blocking property of the films improved, but the mechanical properties of the films decreased marginally. Based on the findings of the current study, the prepared bio-composite films may be proposed as an ideal material for active food packaging.