March 28, 2025 | Future Foods |
The use of agricultural byproducts in intelligent packaging film development was the focus of a study conducted by researchers at King Mongkut's Institute of Technology, Thailand. The research focused on incorporating betalain extract (EB), derived from dragon fruit peel, into a tamarind seed kernel xyloglucan and chitosan (XC) blend. The goal was to create sustainable packaging materials with functional properties for monitoring food freshness.
The films were characterized for their chemical, physical, mechanical, antimicrobial, and intelligent sensing properties. Zeta potential measurements and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy confirmed that ionic interactions and hydrogen bonding among the components contributed to film stability and structure. Increasing the concentration of betalain enhanced film thickness and color intensity, while scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed a uniform surface morphology.
Mechanical analysis indicated that a 1:5 (w/v) EB:XC ratio provided the best balance of tensile strength (22.35 ± 2.25 MPa) and elongation at break (185.07 ± 4.42%). The films demonstrated appropriate barrier properties, with water vapor transmission and permeability suitable for food packaging. Antimicrobial tests showed effectiveness against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Additionally, the films responded to ammonia with visible color changes, allowing spoilage detection in shrimp through correlation with total volatile base nitrogen (TVB-N) levels.
The study suggests XC-EB films as promising biodegradable materials for intelligent food packaging applications.
