Biodegradable Packaging Research Articles

Assessing consumer perceptions of sustainable packaging solutions

ABSTRACT Consumer concerns about food and plastic packaging waste have led government and industry to seek alternatives prioritizing the environment while keeping safety, quality, shelf-life, and price. These consumer concerns were examined with a focus on fabrication technologies, current and proposed applications, and consumer acceptance of edible coatings, biodegradable packaging, and nanomaterials. A survey (N = 441) analyzed responses by subpopulations (generation, location, education level, and food-related careers). Consumers prioritize quality (95%), price (83%), and nutritional value (74%), but willingness to consume and pay extra for them varied by generation and location. Younger consumers showed openness to new technologies, indicating an attractive potential niche market for edible coatings. Positive comments highlighted environmental, health, and shelf-life benefits, while concerns include aversion towards new technologies and health risks. Biodegradable packaging is widely accepted, presenting business opportunities to meet sustainable demands, though cost and quality worries remain. Addressing these concerns is crucial for broader adoption.

Biodegradable bio-film based on Rhizopus oryzae and metal–organic frameworks for fruit preservation and pesticide degradation

The spoilage of post-harvest fruits caused by physiological metabolic activities can affect people’s consumption. Therefore, the development of effective packaging material for fruits is beneficial in ensuring the quality of fruits and avoiding wastage. In this study, we developed a multifunctional and biodegradable fruit packaging material using Rhizopus oryzae for the first time. Ag@PCN-222 (Zn) was introduced into the mycelium to endow the bio-film with antibacterial properties and pesticide degradability. The bio-film had nearly 100% biodegradability only after one week. The bio-film exhibited excellent antioxidant properties, as well as effective antibacterial activity. The prepared bio-film maintained high CO2 permeability and low O2 permeability, which was beneficial for shelf-life extension of fruits. The result of pesticide degradation experiments showed that the Bio-Ag@Zn film could effectively degrade the organophosphorus pesticide methyl parathion and improve the safety of fruits. At the same time, experiments on fruit preservation demonstrated that composite biofilms effectively inhibit fruit decay and prolong shelf life. The experimental results indicated that the Bio-Ag@Zn film was expected to be a green and multifunctional fruit packaging material.

Facile preparation of soybean protein-based oil-resistant paper for food packaging

The use of plastic packaging is harmful to the environment. Due to the advantages of degradability, renewability, and safety of paper packaging materials, replacing plastic with paper has received much attention. However, the poor oil resistance of traditional paper constrains its application. In this research, oil-resistant agent is prepared using soy protein isolate and montmorillonite through physical blending. This oil-resistant agent has advantages of low cost and food safety. Subsequently, food packaging oil-proof paper is obtained by coating the above-mentioned coating on paper. This oil-proof paper has good heat resistance, oil resistance (kit rating is 8/12) and mechanical properties. In addition, it is found that the optimal storage environment for the oil-proof paper. This study provides a feasible method for producing, biodegradable, and eco-friendly food packaging oil-proof paper.

An investigation on structural, morphological, thermal, optical, and antibacterial properties of chitosan-oleic acid (CH-OA) composite thin films

Recent researches show an increasing interest in developing polymer composite films to improve their properties for use in biodegradable food packaging and optoelectronic applications. For this purpose, this study aims to fabricate and characterize chitosan-oleic acid (CH-OA) composite films for different optical applications. Solution casting process was used to prepare CH-OA composite films. XRD patterns of the films showed that the addition of OA up to 3.0 % (v/w) reduced their crystalline structure. The morphology of the composites was studied using SAED and SEM. SAED patterns indicated good mixing ability between OA and CH, while SEM analysis revealed the heterogeneous surface of the films and proved the incorporation of OA into the CH matrix. The thermal stability of the films was studied using DSC and TGA analyses of the composites, and their thermograms indicated the interactions between CH and OA which improved their thermal stability. The optical properties of the films were performed in the spectral region of 250–2500 nm. The near-infrared results showed that increasing the OA concentration can lead to strong local interactions between OA and other groups in the CH matrix. The transmittance spectra of CH-OA composites at UV wavelength ≤ 400 nm showed values ​​close to 0 %, indicating that all the films have UV-blocking features. Significant changes in color and opacity parameters were detected. In the visible range (400–700 nm), the absorption coefficients, absorption indices and refractive indices of the films were evaluated. The absorption edges, Urbach energies, direct and indirect energy band gaps were in the ranges of 2.491–1.849 eV, 0.591–2.008 eV, 2.698–2.578 eV and 2.167–1.422 eV, respectively, as well as the refractive index decreased from 1.837 to 1.735 to 1.149–1.119 by increasing the OA concentration to 3.0 % (v/w). The produced composites have high optical conductivities up to 1010S−1 indicating good photoresponse and enhanced electronic excitation due to increased absorption coefficient of the film. The Wemple-DiDomenico model was used to evaluate the dispersion energies and related parameters. The values ​​of dispersion energy and oscillator energy decreased from 12.388 to 1.327 eV and 6.7268 to 5.7525 eV, respectively, with the OA content increasing to 3.0 % (v/w). The swelling degree and degradation rate were also determined and the results showed an improvement in the swelling and degradation ability of the films. The composites showed the appearance of inhibition zones indicating antibacterial activity against Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli. These obtained results indicate that CH-OA composite films exhibited better physico-chemical properties with significant improvement and thus can be used in biodegradable food packaging and optoelectronic devices.

Cocoyam is an Unconventional, Innovative, and Sustainable Source of Starch with Potential use in Sleek and Functional Biodegradable Films

AbstractThe growing interest in sustainable biopolymers has highlighted cocoyam starch as a promising material for functional biodegradable packaging film development. This study evaluates its physicochemical, structural, thermal, rheological, and mechanical properties to determine its suitability for packaging. Cocoyam starch contains moisture (9.15%), protein (0.68%), lipid (0.57%), ash (2.82%), and resistant starch (5.61%), offering moderate digestibility. Total soluble phenolic compounds are quantified at 50.56 mg GAE·100 g−1 of starch, which influences the physicochemical properties. Cocoyam starch presented a semi‐crystalline structure comprising both Type A and B starches, along with monohydrated calcium oxalate crystals. The gelatinization temperature is determined to be 65.81 °C, with an associated gelatinization enthalpy of 15.38 J g−1. Gel retrogradation exhibits a rate of 38.52%. Rheological properties reveal a high peak viscosity and breakdown, suggestive of a high amylopectin content in the starch. Cocoyam starch films demonstrate variations in thickness and neutral instrumental color parameters. Mechanical analysis reveals that these films have lower tensile strength but higher elongation to rupture compared to cassava starch films, likely due to the intermolecular connections formed by cocoyam starch. Crystallography patterns of films indicate structural transformations, including calcium oxalate phases and semi‐crystalline structures, underscoring their potential applications in biodegradable packaging materials.

Sustainable Smart Packaging from Protein Nanofibrils.

Smart packaging technologies are revolutionizing the food industry by extending shelf life and enhancing quality monitoring through environmental responsiveness. Here, a novel smart packaging concept is presented, based on amyloid fibrils (AM) and red radish anthocyanins (RRA), to effectively monitor food spoilage by color change. A protein nanofibrils biofilm is developed from whey protein, which is functionalized with RRA to endow the resulting films with advanced monitoring capabilities. A comprehensive characterization, including pH responsiveness, water vapor permeability, thermal and mechanical testing, and colorimetric responses, demonstrates the superiority of AM/RRA films compared to control films based on whey monomer building blocks. The findings indicate that the AM/RRA films can effectively monitor, for example, shrimp freshness, showing visible changes within one day at room temperature and significant alterations in color after two days. Furthermore, these films exhibit high antibacterial and antioxidant activities, reinforcing their suitability for efficient food packaging. By integrating bio-based materials from whey and natural anthocyanins, this research presents a biodegradable, sustainable, and cost-effective smart packaging solution, contributing to eco-friendly innovations in food preservation.

Production of biodegradable packaging film based on PLA/starch: optimization via response surface methodology

Production of biodegradable packaging film based on PLA/starch: optimization via response surface methodology

Polysaccharide-Based Composite Films: Promising Biodegradable Food Packaging Materials.

With growing concerns about environmental protection and sustainable development, the development of new biodegradable food packaging materials has become a significant focus for the future of food packaging. Polysaccharides, such as cellulose, chitosan, and starch, are considered ideal biodegradable packaging materials due to their wide availability, good biocompatibility, and biodegradability. These materials have garnered extensive attention from researchers in food packaging, leading to considerable advancements in the application of polysaccharide-based food packaging films, coatings, aerogels, and other forms. Therefore, this review focuses on the application of polysaccharide-based packaging films in food storage and preservation and discusses their preparation methods, application progress, challenges, and future development directions. Through an in-depth analysis of the existing literature, this review aims to provide sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions for the food packaging industry.

Biodegradable antibacterial food packaging based on carboxymethyl cellulose from sugarcane bagasse/cassava starch/chitosan/gingerol extract stabilized silver nanoparticles (Gin-AgNPs) and vanillin as cross-linking agent

The increasing issue of plastic waste necessitates improved solutions, and biodegradable food packaging is a promising alternative to traditional plastic. In this study, we prepared packaging films using cassava starch (CV), chitosan (CT) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), with glycerol as a plasticizer. However, these films require modifications to enhance their mechanical properties. Therefore, we modified the films by adding vanillin as the crosslinking agent and gingerol extract stabilized silver nanoparticles. The films were fabricated using the film-casting method and characterized by FTIR, XRD, SEM, TGA, mechanical property test, biodegradability test, anti-bacterial test and food packaging evaluation test. Among these films, CT/CV/V/CMC/Gin-AgNPs1 exhibited superior mechanical properties and demonstrated excellent anti-bacterial property both for gram-positive (S. aureus) and gram-negative (E. coli) bacteria and biodegradability, losing over 50% of its weight after 21 days of burial in soil and effectively preserved grapes at 4 °C for 21 days.

Development of antioxidant films based on anthocyanin microcapsules extracted from purple corn cob and incorporated into a chitosan matrix

Biodegradable food packaging films were prepared from chitosan incorporated with microencapsulated anthocyanins powder (MAP) that was extracted from purple corn cob using the casting method. Anthocyanins extracts were microencapsulated with maltodextrin, gum arabic, and soy protein using a spray-drying method. The film based on chitosan and MAP (CHt@MAP) was prepared through citric acid cross-linking and plasticization with glycerol. The structural analysis of the CHt@MAP film revealed a semicrystalline structure by X-ray diffraction. The interactions were mainly via electrostatic and hydrogen bonding, as confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared. Based on scanning electron microscopy, the morphology of the films revealed evidence of the presence of MAP on the surface and cross-section. The microcapsules inside the films produced an increase in thickness (0.18–0.21 mm), lower water vapor permeability (12.4–8.5 × 10−10 g m−1s−1Pa−1), and reduced elongation at break (217 % to 165 %), as well as tensile strength (1.3 to 0.45 MPa) compared to the chitosan film. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity of CHt@MAP film was high, with a radical scavenging activity of 56 %. It also exhibited a strong barrier to UV and visible light. The results indicate that the CHt@MAP film preserves the shelf life of blueberries at room temperature and could be used as an active packaging film for foods.

Antimicrobial biodegradable blown films from PBAT/TPS with Glucono-delta-lactone as acid regulator active packaging

Glucono-delta-lactone (GDL), an acid regulator commonly used in food preservation, was incorporated into biodegradable poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT)/thermoplastic starch (TPS) (60/40 and 70/30) blended films to evaluate its antimicrobial activity and its influence on film properties. The blends were characterized for chemical interactions, morphology, thermal, mechanical, and barrier properties. Antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli was also assessed. FTIR analysis revealed interactions between GDL and starch at the -OH regions, resulting in a decrease in melting temperature. Microstructural observations showed a fibrous structure and increased compaction in PBAT/TPS films with GDL incorporation. Thermal analysis indicated that GDL modified thermal properties, possibly due to its promotion of higher crystallinity in the blended films. The addition of GDL also improved mechanical strength in both blending ratios, potentially through cross-linking. However, excessive GDL use weakened mechanical properties, likely due to acid-induced polymer hydrolysis. GDL increased the water contact angle in both blending ratios, suggesting enhanced surface hydrophobicity. The introduction of GDL into the blended films improved barrier properties, especially oxygen barrier. Additionally, GDL's antimicrobial properties effectively limited the growth of S. aureus and E. coli, particularly in high-moisture environments. Therefore, biodegradable PBAT/TPS films incorporating GDL demonstrate potential as active packaging materials. A 2 wt% addition of GDL was found to offer optimal performance in terms of film properties and significantly influenced the chemical, morphological, and thermal properties of the PBAT/TPS biodegradable packaging.

Biodegradable composites of modified holocellulose, poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate), and polylactic acid: Preparation and properties

Holocellulose was extracted from corn cobs by a deep eutectic solvent and modified by various carboxylic acids. The resulting holocellulose esters were further blended with poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) and polylactic acid (PLA) by using a solvent casting method to prepare holocellulose ester/PBAT/PLA composites. The mechanical properties of the composites were affected by the length of the ester side chain of the modified holocellulose. The addition of lauric acid-modified holocellulose, i.e., holocellulose laurate (HCL), effectively improved the compatibility between the components in the composite, and the composite with 4 wt% HCL showed good comprehensive properties. Compared with PBAT/PLA, HCL/PBAT/PLA composite had better mechanical properties, water stability and gas barrier stability, and similar thermal stability. The elongation at break increased by 41.0 %, while the water absorption capacity, water vapor permeability and oxygen permeability decreased significantly. The HCL/PBAT/PLA composite also demonstrated good reprocessability and simulated transport properties. There were no significant changes in the mechanical properties and structure after five cycles of reprocessing and simulated transport, and the mechanical property retention rates were 93.7 % and 95.2 %, respectively. The results showed that modified holocellulose can be used as a toughening agent and filler, which can expand the application of lignocellulose in the field of biodegradable packaging materials.

Biodegradable Food Packaging Films Using a Combination of Hemicellulose and Cellulose Derivatives.

This study aims to develop biodegradable films by combining hemicellulose B (HB) with methylcellulose (MC) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) at two mass ratios, HB/MC 90/10 and HB/CMC 60/40. The effect of plasticizers, glycerol (GLY) and polyethylene glycol (PEG), on these films' mechanical and physicochemical properties was also investigated. Results showed that the film thickness increased with the addition of GLY and PEG. Moisture content was lower in plasticized films, possibly contributing to better storage. Plasticizers also induced more pronounced color changes, intensifying the lightness and yellowness. Physical attributes such as peel ability, foldability, and transparency were also noticeably improved, particularly in films with higher GLY and PEG concentrations. Additionally, plasticizers enhanced the mechanical properties more significantly in the HB/CMC films, as evidenced by improved tensile stress, elongation at break, elastic modulus, and toughness. However, oxygen and water vapor permeabilities, two of the most critical factors in food packaging, were reduced in the HB/MC films with plasticizers compared to the HB/CMC counterparts. The findings of this study bear significant implications for developing sustainable packaging solutions using hemicellulose B isolated from agricultural material processing waste. These biopolymer-based films, in conjunction with biobased plasticizers, such as glycerol biopolymer, can help curtail our reliance on conventional plastics and alleviate the environmental impact of plastic waste.

Strategic addition of rosemary essential oil in natural rubber-toughened poly(lactic acid)/cinnamon oil blends for antimicrobial packaging

Bacterial spoilage in fruits and vegetables has emphasised the importance of extending the shelf life of food and ensuring a secure and dependable food supply that requires suitable packaging. This study presents an innovative biodegradable film for active food packaging, incorporating poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and natural rubber (NR) with cinnamon essential oil (CEO) and rosemary essential oil (REO). Although past research has examined individual essential oils in packaging, the combined effects of CEO and REO in a PLA/NR matrix remain unexplored. The influence of different CEO-to-REO ratios on the properties of PLA/NR/CEO blends was comprehensively investigated. Tensile tests showed that incorporating REO substantially improved the mechanical properties, with PLA/NR/1CEO:4REO and PLA/NR/1CEO:1REO exhibiting the highest tensile strength and elongation at break, respectively. Notably, REO incorporation effectively reduced essential oil release in aqueous environments, enabling controlled hydrolytic degradation of the PLA/NR/CEO blend. Thermal analysis showed that higher REO content increased both the thermal stability and crystallinity of the PLA/NR/CEO blends, addressing a common limitation in biodegradable packaging materials. All active films showed good antimicrobial properties against Escherichia coli and Bacillus cereus. Overall, the addition of REO to the PLA/NR/CEO blend synergistically improves the mechanical and thermal properties of the active films.

Assessing of Biowaste Whey Protein as Films for Biodegradable Electronics and Packaging Applications

Assessing of Biowaste Whey Protein as Films for Biodegradable Electronics and Packaging Applications

Physical and Mechanical Properties of Indian Oyster Mushroom Mycelium/Sawdust Composites for Biodegradable Packaging Materials

Mycelium-based composite (MBC) offers an excellent sustainable alternative to hydrocarbon-based materials, especially styrofoam for packaging, due to its abundance of fungal mycelium that grows quickly on agricultural substrates, its biodegradable and its lightweight. The mycelium of a commercial mushroom species, Pleurotus ostreatus (PO), is used to fabricate MBC for packaging materials. Another species, Pleurotus pulmonarius (PP), prefers warmer weather, making it more common in tropical countries. Nevertheless, there is a lack of studies of PP mycelium-based composites and their mechanical and physical properties. This study investigated the physical and mechanical properties of PP mycelium/sawdust composite and compared to PO mycelium/sawdust composite. The results showed that the average density of PP/sawdust and PO/sawdust composites were 292.14 and 272.17 kg/m3, respectively, which fell within the range of low-density polyurethane foam. The final mass gain due to water absorption into PO/sawdust specimens was 144.04%, 1.41 times lower than PP/sawdust specimens. Furthermore, PP/sawdust composite exhibited 7.5 times faster water absorption rate than PO/sawdust composite, indicating that PO/sawdust had better water resistance. The PP/sawdust composite produced an equivalent compressive modulus to the PO/sawdust composite under compression up to 1.34 MPa of maximum value. Thus, the PP/sawdust composite showed excellent potential for substitution of biodegradable packages made from PO/sawdust composite as they contributed the equivalent strength; however, the PO/sawdust composite exhibited superior water resistance to the PP/sawdust composite. Consequently, PO/sawdust should be more advantageous if the biodegradable packaging is required to be of strength as high as the low-density polyurethane foam and of compatible water resistance.

Antimicrobial and degradable all-cellulose composite for functional and sustainable food packaging

The investigation of environmentally friendly and sustainable replacement materials is consistently prompted by the mounting environmental concern over plastics derived from petrochemicals. Compared with fossil oil derived chemicals and materials, cellulose is more readily available, less expensive, and biodegradable. Herein, all-cellulose composite films with excellent biodegradability and antimicrobial activities were prepared for sustainable food package. The all-cellulose films were prepared by a simple solution cast method of amino cellulose and carboxymethyl cellulose mixture. Rheological studies suggest typical non-Newtonian and shear thinning behavior of the all-cellulose solution associated with strong intermolecular electrostatic interactions. Such composite results in package films with amorphous structure, and uniform, dense and smooth morphology. Properties explorations indicated that the all-cellulose composites films exhibited better mechanical properties, water vapor and oxygen barrier properties than conventional synthetic plastic packages. Besides, the all-cellulose films showed excellent antimicrobial activity, and biodegradability. When applied as shrimp package, the all-cellulose composite films effectively extended shelf-life of shrimp by inhibition of microbial and oxidative deterioration of shrimp meat. This study provides a feasible approach to syntheze biodegradable and antimicrobial functional food package from cellulose in replacing of traditional synthetic plastic films.

Near-Surface Reconfiguration of Biopolymer Blends by Mechanical Embossment: Creation of Friction-Reduced Foils

Biopolymer blends of polylactic acid (PLA) and polybutylene adipate-co-terephthalate (PBAT) are extruded into flexible monolayer films. These blends are excellent candidates for the realization of environmentally friendly packaging applications. A necessary pre-requisite for that are appropriate tribological properties under mechanical contact. Reasonable wear resistance allows good protection of packed goods, and low friction forces reduce difficulties in stacking. In this research, mechanical embossment under high loads at room temperature was used for the modification of polymer surfaces to exhibit a significant friction reduction under dry conditions. The results particularly show a systematic decrease in the coefficient of friction for biopolymer blends containing 30 wt% and 40 wt% PBAT. FTIR was used to analyze the change in surface composition after mechanical embossing. A sophisticated FTIR calibration method revealed that the blend with 30 wt% PBAT shows a modified distribution of PBAT and PLA at the surface due to mechanical embossment. This leads to a controlled and long-lasting modification of the surface properties without a substantial change in the chemical composition of the polymer in bulk. Without the use of additional coatings, biodegradable packaging foils with improved characteristics are accessible.

Effect of pretreatment and peracetic acid pulping on cellulosic materials converted from spent coffee grounds.

Spent coffee grounds (SCG) are the waste byproducts of coffee brewing. While SCG can be valorized to produce functional biopolymers due to their valuable structural components, the lignocellulosic structure of SCG is resistant to degradation because of the tightly bound lignin. Therefore, a pretreatment step is required before pulping with peracetic acid (PAA), an eco-friendlier alternative to traditional pulping methods, to facilitate the extraction of these desired cellulosic materials. Formic acid:acetic acid:deionized water (FA:AA:W=30:50:20) or 60% (v/v) ethanol pretreatments were applied to SCG to compare the characteristics of the resulting cellulosic materials after PAA pulping. Lignocellulose analysis showed that the lignin content (7.06%) of ethanol pretreated SCG was significantly lower (p<0.05), and the cellulose content (29.52%) was significantly higher (p<0.05) than the untreated SCG (15.50% and 11.50%, respectively), indicating that an adequate amount of lignin was removed to obtain the cellulosic materials after the pretreatment process. Morphological and structural changes in the lignin and hemicellulose were observed in all the pretreated SCG, which further confirmed that these components were degraded with pretreatments and pulping. Ethanol pretreated SCG showed the most optimal results based on the greatest lignin decrease seen from its lignocellulose composition, appearance, and structure. This study exemplified a conversion process to extract cellulosic materials from SCG more efficiently to utilize for cellulose-based products and verify its potential to be valorized as a waste byproduct. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Coffee companies can provide the spent coffee grounds (SCG) they produce to develop cellulose-based materials to make biodegradable packaging products rather than throwing them out or burning them. Using SCG for producing cellulose-based materials can help promote sustainability and reduce food waste worldwide. SCG can be utilized as an alternative source based on their abundance and desired biopolymeric properties, providing innovative solutions to industries and increasing consumer awareness of this cause.

Biodegradable films incorporating Malaysian stingless bee propolis: Development, characterization, and potential for food packaging

Three different Malaysian stingless bee propolis samples were examined using the ethanolic extraction method for total flavonoid (TFC) and phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant, and antibacterial activities. Additionally, the biodegradable films were developed and characterized, this study also aims to enhance the functional qualities for possible use in active food packaging by combining corn starch (CS) with propolis extract (PE). The propolis samples were extracted with 70 % ethanol and analysed through a UV–VIS spectrophotometer for determination of antioxidant, TPC, and TFC. The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) was used as scavenging test for free radicals, while Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminium chloride (AlCl3) were used to measure total flavonoid and phenolic contents. The data presented in this study showed significant differences in TPC and TFC identified in each sample ranged from 31.95 to 59.48 mg/mL GAE and 53.88 to 59.49 mg/mL RE, respectively. The findings also showed significant differences in the antibacterial activities of Malaysian stingless bee propolis, especially against Gram-positive bacterial strains. In comparison to the control treatments, the ethanolic propolis extract treatments also improved the film's physiochemical and antibacterial qualities. The incorporation of PE into CS resulted in decreased moisture content of the films from 17.20 % to 14.39 %, whereas the solubility significantly decreased from 17.44 % to 12.14 %. The weight of CS and PE film lowered significantly after 14 days and the weight loss percentage also demonstrated that bioplastic degradation occurred. The propolis extract was able to prevent the growth of foodborne bacteria since the present data revealed that the microbial count was significantly lower than control groups by displaying an acceptable limit of aerobic plate count for red meat products, which is lower than 6 log CFU/g. Propolis from Malaysian stingless bees may offer a viable substitute for synthetic additives in biodegradable food packaging films. Its antimicrobial and antioxidant properties support its application for sustainable food preservation.