Biopolymer Films Research Articles

Mechanically robust, transparent, and UV-shielding composite of Na-Alginate and maleic acid-functionalized boron nitride nanosheets with improved antioxidant property

Maleic acid functionalized boron nitride nanosheets (BNNS-MA)/Na-Alginate composite with enhanced mechanical, UV-shielding and antioxidation properties have been fabricated for the first time by solvent evaporation from a homogeneous aqueous dispersion of BNNS-MA/Na-Alginate composite solution. The composite fabrication was driven by homogenous nano-integrations and chemistry of compatibilization of BNNS-MA with Na-Alginate through H-bonding interactions between -COOH functional group of BNNS-MA and -OH, -COONa groups of Na-Alginate. The BNNS-MA/Na-Alginate composites show significant enhancement of mechanical, UV-blocking and antioxidant properties compared to the Na-Alginate. Integrating only 1 wt% BNNS-MA improved the UV-blocking, tensile strength, and antioxidant properties of Na-Alginate film by 99.1%, 73% and 60.3%, respectively. Overall, our findings of BNNS-MA integrated Na-Alginate composite films with improved physical, mechanical, UV shielding, and antioxidant functionalities is very promising to open new insight in the field of transparent UV-protected biopolymer film for consumer products, packaging, cosmetics, and engineering applications.

Effect of Vanillin Concentration on the Properties of Poly(vinyl alcohol)‐Based Films Prepared to Potentially Replace Single‐Use Plastics

AbstractPackaging starting materials produced by incorporating vanillin (V) into poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) to obtain biopolymer films to replace single‐use plastics of limited degradation is presented in this work. Very homogeneous films are obtained by the casting technique. Different concentrations of V as an additive to produce the films and the manner in which they affect spectroscopic, thermal, and mechanical properties as well as their hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity balance and permeability behavior are analyzed. It is observed that increasing the concentration of V in the films increases the thermal stability, tensile strength, and tensile strain at failure, but decreases the Tg values, hydrophilicity, and water vapor permeability (WVP). Thus, the combined results suggest that these films show an excellent potential to be used as raw materials to manufacture eco‐friendly packaging materials as a replacement for non‐degradable single‐use plastics. This procedure may be beneficial in several applied areas, such as in the food industry, where PVA is widely used although many properties must yet be enhanced, as accomplishes in the present work.

Sustainable plant-wearable sensors for on-site, rapid decentralized detection of pesticides toward precision agriculture and food safety

The synergy between eco-friendly biopolymeric films and printed devices leads to the production of plant-wearable sensors for decentralized analysis of pesticides in precision agriculture and food safety. Herein, a simple method for fabrication of flexible, and sustainable sensors printed on cellulose acetate (CA) substrates has been demonstrated to detect carbendazim and paraquat in agricultural, water and food samples. The biodegradable CA substrates were made by casting method while the full electrochemical system of three electrodes was deposited by screen-printing technique (SPE) to produce plant-wearable sensors. Analytical performance was assessed by differential pulse (DPV) and square wave voltammetry (SWV) in a linear concentration range between 0.1 and 1.0 μM with detection limits of 54.9 and 19.8 nM for carbendazim and paraquat, respectively. The flexible and sustainable non-enzymatic plant-wearable sensor can detect carbendazim and paraquat on lettuce and tomato skins, and also water samples with no interference from other pesticides. The plant-wearable sensors had reproducible response being robust and stable against multiple flexions. Due to high sensitivity and selectivity, easy operation and rapid agrochemical detection, the plant-wearable sensors can be used to detect biomarkers in human biofluids and be used in on-site analysis of other hazardous chemical substances.

Design, fabrication, evaluation, and in vitro study of green biomaterial and antibacterial polymeric biofilms of polyvinyl alcohol/tannic acid/CuO/ SiO2

In this study, a three-component biofilm for rapid wound dressing consisting of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/tannic acid (TA)/with CuO/SiO2 with different percentages (0, 5, 10, and 15 wt% NPs) is evaluated. In addition to controlling bleeding and absorption of blood and wound secretions, it protects the damaged tissue from the attack of microbes. It protects against viruses and thus reduces the treatment time. Analysis of biofilms morphology is performed by Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), phases in biofilms were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, chemical bonds, and functional groups are analyzed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and mechanical tests are performed to evaluate the strength of the samples. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) is applied to estimate the thermal stability of the biopolymer films with various percentages of CuO/SiO2 nanoparticles. Also, antibacterial test, bioactivity of the biofilms, the percentage of swelling ratio, and porosity of the samples were examined by immersing the samples in simulated body fluid (SBF) and Phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) for 14 days in vitro. The composite makeup of the TA/PVA sample, comprising 15 wt % CuO/SiO2 and containing 15 wt% of nanoparticles, exhibited superior heat resistance compared to other samples by an increase of 50 °C. This improvement can be attributed to the nanoparticles reaching their saturation point. The swelling ratio was assessed in both SBF and PBS, and in both instances, the sample increased by up to 10 wt% before decreasing, indicating the saturation of the nanoparticles.

Site-specific imprinting of dengue virus non-structural 1 antigen on a polydopamine-based sensing film for early detection and prognosis of dengue

Serum levels of dengue virus (DENV) non-structural 1 (NS1) antigen can serve as a valuable prognostic indicator of severe dengue infections. A quartz crystal microbalance (QCM)-based biosensor with a biomimetic recognition element was designed to quantitatively detect DENV NS1 as an early disease biomarker. To mitigate the reliance on costly viral antigens during the molecular imprinting process, a synthetic peptide mimicking a DENV NS1 epitope was used as a surrogate template for the synthesis of an epitope-imprinted polydopamine (EMIPDA) sensing film on the biosensor surface. The maximal frequency shift for DENV NS1 was obtained with an EMIPDA film synthesised using 5 mg mL−1 of dopamine monomer and 0.5 mg mL−1 of peptide template. The EMIPDA-QCM biosensor achieved low detection and quantitation limits of 0.091 μg mL−1 and 0.436 μg mL−1, respectively, allowing acute-phase detection of dengue and prognosis of the disease progression. The EMIPDA-QCM biosensor exhibited remarkable selectivity with up to 68-fold larger frequency responses towards DENV NS1 compared to a major serum protein. The site-specific imprinting approach not only enhanced the biosensing performance but also enabled a 26-fold cost reduction for biosensor functionalisation, providing a cost-effective strategy for label-free biosensing of the dengue biomarker via the biopolymer film.

Active and Intelligent Four-Layer Films Based on Chitosan, Gelatin, Furcellaran and Active Ingredients—Preparation, Characterisation and Application on Salmon

Innovatively, four-layer, active biopolymer films based on furcellaran, chitosan and gelatin as well as active compounds (curcumin, capsaicin, AgNPs, montmorillonite and gelatin hydrolysate) were obtained. The films showed strong antioxidant effects. Adding active ingredients caused increased enthalpy change value (ΔH) and thermal stability. The potential application of the film was analysed by storing Atlantic salmon fillets in the material. The films showed an active effect. This effect was the strongest during the first 3 days of storage. Compared to the synthetic LDPE film, the active film showed a total 0.81 log/CFU lower microbial count on the 12th day of storage. Lipid oxidation was not delayed in the salmon. Nonetheless, the results indicate high applicative potential of the composites.

Green interconnected network structure of chitosan-microcrystalline cellulose-lignin biopolymer film for active packaging applications

As an excellent alternative to petroleum-based food packaging materials, a novel green hybrid composite film with an excellent interconnected network structure was successfully fabricated by integrating chitosan (chi), microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), and lignin nanoparticles (LNP), including the desired amount of plasticizer glycerol (gly). Overall, 36 combinations were developed and investigated for superior biocomposite film formation. Among the various concentration ratios, the 40:35:25 chi-MCC-gly film provided well-organized film formation, good physicochemical properties, mechanical stability, efficient water contact angle, reduced water solubility, and lower water vapor permeability (11.43 ± 0.55 × 10−11 g.m−1.s−1.Pa−1). The performance of the chi-MCC-gly film further enhanced by the homogeneous incorporation of ∼100 nm LNP. With 1 % LNP addition, the tensile strength of the film increased (28.09 MPa, 47.10 % increase) and the water vapor permeability reached a minimum of 11.43 × 10−11 g.m−1.s−1.Pa−1, which proved the impact of LNP in composite films. Moreover, the films showed excellent resistance to thermal shrinkage even at 100 °C and exhibited nearly 100 % UV blocking efficiency at higher LNP concentrations. Interestingly, the green composite films extended the shelf life of freshly cut cherry tomatoes to seven days without spoilage. Overall, the facile synthesis of strong, insoluble, UV-blocking, and thermally stable green composite films realized for food packaging applications.

Sodium alginate/Hydroxyapatite/nanocellulose composites: Synthesis and Potentials for bone tissue engineering

Sodium alginate/hydroxyapatite/Nano cellulose (SA/HA/NC) nanocomposite films that possess good biocompatibility for bone tissue engineering are prepared by a simple solution casting. HA is one of the most frequently used bioceramic materials to achieve a high biocompatibility. The bionanocomposite films are analysed by XRD, SEM, EDAX and FTIR studies. XRD confirms the existence of fillers in the polymer. FTIR spectrum shows the different functional modes in the bionanocomposite films. The morphology of fillers and bionanocomposite films are obtained through SEM. The inclusion of NC with different concentrations into the biopolymer film improves the tensile strength. As a result, the loading of 5 wt % of NC and 10 wt% of HA in the SA polymer shows high tensile strength when compared to the pure SA, SA filled with 10 wt% of HA and SA loaded with 10 wt% of HA and inclusion of NC (0.5 and 2.5 wt%). The tensile strength (TS) of bionanocomposite film with 10 wt % of HA is increased by 17%. TS of bionanocomposite film with 0.5 and 2.5 wt% of NC is increased by 177 and 277%, whereas TS of bionanocomposite film loaded 5 wt% of NC is increased by 331%. The swelling, biodegradation and biomineralization tests suggest that this bionanocomposite films are hopeful biomaterials for bone tissue engineering.

Vanillin Cross-Linked Chitosan Film with Controlled Release of Green Tea Polyphenols for Active Food Packaging.

We report a novel cross-linked chitosan composite film containing vanillin, glycerol, and green tea extract. The effects of vanillin-mediated cross-linking and the incorporation of antimicrobial green tea polyphenols were investigated. The cross-linking effect, confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis, increased the tensile strength of the biopolymer film to 20.9 ± 3 MPa. The release kinetics of polyphenols from the chitosan-vanillin matrix was studied, and we reported an initial burst release (8 h) followed by controlled release (8 to 400 h). It was found that both vanillin and green tea polyphenols were successful inhibitors of foodborne bacteria, with a minimum inhibitory concentration of the tea polyphenols determined as 0.15 mg/mL (Staphylococcus aureus). These active components also displayed strong antioxidant capacities, with polyphenols quenching >80% of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals at all concentrations tested. Degradation results revealed that there was a significant (>85%) mass loss of all samples after being buried in compost for 12 weeks. The biopolymeric films, prepared by solvent casting methods, adhere to green chemistry and waste valorization principles. The one-pot recipe reported may also be applied to other cross-linkers and active compounds with similar chemical functionalities. Based on the obtained results, the presented material provides a promising starting point for the development of a degradable active packaging material.

TiB2-Derived Nanosheets Enhance the Tensile Strength and Controlled Drug Release of Biopolymeric Films Used in Wound Healing.

Wound healing using an alginate-based biopolymeric film is one of the most preferred treatments. However, these films lack mechanical strength (elasticity and tensile strength), show higher initial burst release, and exhibit high vapor permeability. The present study reports the development of nanosheets derived from titanium diboride (10 nm) (NTB)-incorporated biopolymeric films (0.025, 0.05, and 0.1% w/v) using sodium alginate (SA) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) to overcome the shortfalls. The surface properties of the film, nanosheet distribution within the film, and possible interactions with the film are explored by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). These analyses confirm that nanosheets are uniformly distributed in the film and introduce unevenness on the film's surface. The tensile strength of the nanosheet-incorporated film (0.1% NTB film) using UTM is found to be 24.30 MPa (six times higher compared to the blank film), equivalent to human skin. The water vapor transmission rate of the film is also found to be in the desired range (i.e., 2000-2500 g/m2 day). The biocompatibility of the NTB film is confirmed by the MTT assay test using NIH/3T3 cells and HEK 293 cells. Furthermore, the scratch assay shows that the developed films promote cell migration and proliferation. The antibacterial activity of the film is also demonstrated using a model drug, tetracycline hydrochloride (TCl). Besides, the film exhibits the sustained release of TCl and follows the Korsmeyer-Peppas model for drug release. Overall, the 0.1% w/v NTB film is easy to fabricate, biocompatible and shows superior mechanical properties.

Propiedades antifúngicas y fisicoquímicas de películas de almidón-lignina

Biopolymeric films offer an ecological alternative to obtain containers or coatings for food. These offer a barrier against moisture and are biocompatible. Mixtures of different polymers make it possible to obtain materials with unique physicochemical properties. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of different soluble fraction of organosolv lignin on the antifungal and physicochemical properties of starch films. The lignin was extracted using a mixture of organic solvents, fractionated in alcohol, and the alcohol-soluble lignin fraction was incorporated into starch films at concentrations of 1, 3, 5, and 10 %. The resulting films underwent analysis through Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning Electronic Microscopy (SEM). Additionally, thickness, color, the mechanical properties, and the inhibition capacity against P. italicum fungus of the films were also evaluated. The FTIR and SEM results revealed significant chemical interactions between starch and alcohol-soluble lignin fraction confirming a correct integration of both polymers. Moreover, the incorporation of alcohol-soluble lignin fraction had a plasticizing effect on the films, substantially enhancing their flexibility. Regarding antifungal activity, the films with 5 % alcohol-soluble lignin fraction exhibited the highest percentage of inhibition of the P. italicum fungus (91.7 ± 0.56 %), while the lowest inhibition was obtained in the films containing 10 % (64.0 ± 0.32 %). The starch/ alcohol-soluble lignin fraction films demonstrated effective antifungal in vitro properties, providing a viable alternative to control the development microorganism that affect the shelf life of foods.

Effects of Plasticizers on Physical and Mechanical Properties of Tamarind Kernel Powder Film

A plasticizer is one of the essential substances for biopolymer film fabrication. Generally, plasticizers enhance the elasticity of the film by interrupting the hydrogen bonds of the polymer chains. Different types and amounts of plasticizers play important roles in the mechanical properties of the biopolymer film. Glycerol and sorbitol are the most popular plasticizers for biopolymer film production because of their safety for use as food additives (approved by U.S. Food and Drug Administration, FDA) and cost-effectiveness. The objective of this research is to study the influence of glycerol and sorbitol on the properties of the biopolymer film fabricated from tamarind kernel powder (TKP). The plasticizer content was controlled at 5% w/w. The weight ratio between glycerol and sorbitol was varied as 5:0, 4:1, 3:2, 2.5:2.5, 2:3, 1:4, and 0:5, respectively. The physical characteristics of the films were analyzed. The results demonstrated that glycerol and sorbitol improved the mechanical properties of the biopolymer film differently. The TKP film supplemented with glycerol and sorbitol could be a potential candidate for food packaging.

Influence of polyaniline and cellulose nanocrystals on starch biopolymer film for intelligent food packaging

The development of bioplastics is important to reduce the environmental impact of petroleum-based plastic, while intelligent food packaging is essential in reducing food wastage through the accurate indication of food spoilage. In this research, a biopolymer film that is able to detect food spoilage has been fabricated. Starch is the main matrix of the polymer film, while polyaniline (PANI) acts as the sensor component. The biopolymer film is reinforced with cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) extracted from oil palm empty fruit bunches (OPEFB) to enhance the sensor performance. CNC was successfully extracted from OPEFB with a yield and crystallinity index as high as 41% and 83%, respectively. Various characterization methods were employed to characterize the samples, including FT-IR and UV–vis, while TEM was used to scrutinize the morphology of the CNC. The thermal stability of the bio-nanocomposite films was studied through TGA and DSC. The XRD analysis indicates that CNC improves the crystallinity of the film from 18% to 41%. The performance of the bio-nanocomposite films as an ammonia sensor was studied through an ammonia sensitivity test, where the optimum starch/PANI/CNC 6% film has a limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) of 52 ppm and 156 ppm, respectively (R2 = 0.9909, RSD = 3.98%). Also, it shows selectivity to ammonia gas only. Therefore, the starch/PANI/CNC biopolymer film has great potential for its application as intelligent food packaging.

Modified lotus seed starch and red turnip peel extract based pH responsive edible films

Starch obtained from lotus seed was physically modified through heat-moisture treatment to develop the starch-based biopolymer films. Three different types of films: native lotus seed starch (NLS)- carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), heat moisture treated modified starch (HMLS)-CMC, and modified starch incorporated with red turnip peel extract (HMLS-RTE)-CMC films were developed. The different filmogenic solutions exhibited non-Newtonian behavior with the shear thinning property and showed weak gel-like and viscoelastic behavior. The three different films' tensile strength ranged from 14.97 ± 0.65–21.13 ± 0.41 MPa and elongation at break ranged from 32.87 ± 1.14–44.31 ± 0.82%. The water vapor permeability in NLS was 3.86 × 10−7 gm−1h−1Pa−1 and in HMLS-RTE film, the WVP was decreased to 2.58 × 10−7 gm−1h−1Pa−1. The findings revealed that the pH-sensitive HMLS-RTE film had higher thermal stability, improved mechanical and moisture barrier properties than the NLS films, making them suitable for the intelligent food packaging system.

Enzyme-Assisted Extraction of Ulvan from the Green Macroalgae Ulva fenestrata.

Ulvan is a sulfated polysaccharide extracted from green macroalgae with unique structural and compositional properties. Due to its biocompatibility, biodegradability, and film-forming properties, as well as high stability, ulvan has shown promising potential as an ingredient of biopolymer films such as sustainable and readily biodegradable biomaterials that could replace petroleum-based plastics in diverse applications such as packaging. This work investigates the potential of Ulva fenestrata as a source of ulvan. Enzyme-assisted extraction with commercial cellulases (Viscozyme L and Cellulysin) and proteases (Neutrase 0.8L and Flavourzyme) was used for cell wall disruption, and the effect of the extraction time (3, 6, 17, and 20 h) on the ulvan yield and its main characteristics (molecular weight, functional groups, purity, and antioxidant capacity) were investigated. Furthermore, a combined process based on enzymatic and ultrasound extraction was performed. Results showed that higher extraction times led to higher ulvan yields, reaching a maximum of 14.1% dw with Cellulysin after 20 h. The combination of enzymatic and ultrasound-assisted extraction resulted in the highest ulvan extraction (17.9% dw). The relatively high protein content in U. fenestrata (19.8% dw) makes the residual biomass, after ulvan extraction, a potential protein source in food and feed applications.

Biopolymer films incorporated with chlorogenic acid nanoparticles for active food packaging application

Food packaging is innovating towards more environmental-friendly polymers and broader applications of bioactive compounds. In this study, active packaging materials were successfully prepared by incorporating chlorogenic acid (CGA) nanoparticles into pullulan/gelatin polymer matrixes. The rhamnolipid (RL) and/or CGA were combined with chitosan (CS) to synthesize active nanoparticles by the ionic crosslinking method. The film containing CS/RL/CGA nanoparticles (F/CRC) exhibited both ultrahigh visible light (400–760 nm) transmittance (approximately 90%) and UVA (320–400 nm)-blocking efficiency (89.06%). Its fluorescent properties can be used for anti-counterfeiting. Significantly, the bacterial inhibition rates of F/CRC against E. coli and S. aureus were 92.14% and 98.72%. F/CRC also showed good antioxidant capability and biosafety. Finally, the packaging test further indicated that F/CRC could delay the browning of bananas and the bacteria growth of chicken samples. This work presents a green and feasible route to produce functional materials with UV-shielding properties for packaging applications.

Cytocompatibility, antibacterial, and corrosion properties of chitosan/polymethacrylates and chitosan/poly(4-vinylpyridine) smart coatings, electrophoretically deposited on nanosilver-decorated titania nanotubes.

The development of novel implants subjected to surface modification to achieve high osteointegration properties at simultaneous antimicrobial activity is a highly current problem. This study involved different surface treatments of titanium surface, mainly by electrochemical oxidation to produce a nanotubular oxide layer (TNTs), a subsequent electrochemical reduction of silver nitrate and decoration of a nanotubular surface with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), and finally electrophoretic deposition (EPD) of a composite of chitosan (CS) and either polymethacrylate-based copolymer Eudragit E 100 (EE100) or poly(4-vinylpyridine) (P4VP) coating. The effects of each stage of this multi-step modification were examined in terms of morphology, roughness, wettability, corrosion resistance, coating-substrate adhesion, antibacterial properties, and osteoblast cell adhesion and proliferation. The results showed that the titanium surface formed nanotubes (inner diameter of 97 ± 12 nm, length of 342 ± 36 nm) subsequently covered with silver nanoparticles (with a diameter of 88 ± 8 nm). Further, the silver-decorated nanotubes were tightly coated with biopolymer films. Most of the applied modifications increased both the roughness and the surface contact angle of the samples. The deposition of biopolymer coatings resulted in reduced burst release of silver. The coated samples revealed potent antimicrobial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Total elimination (99.9%) of E. coli was recorded for a sample with CS/P4VP coating. Cytotoxicity results using hFOB 1.19, a human osteoblast cell line, showed that after 3 days the tested modifications did not affect the cellular growth according to the titanium control. The proposed innovative multilayer antibacterial coatings can be successful for titanium implants as effective postoperative anti-inflammation protection.

Degradation of poly-L-lactic acid biopolymer films in Ca(OH)2-dosed fresh human urine collected in source-separating sanitation systems

Alkaline dehydration is a promising technology for producing organo-mineral fertiliser from source-separated human urine, but potential risks to users from handling alkaline earth hydroxides at source and carbonation of hydroxides during dehydration limit its implementation in real-life settings. These issues could be addressed by enclosing chemicals in bio-derived polymers. In this study, we investigated degradation and erosion of poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) biopolymer films of different thicknesses (0.05, 0.1 and 0.25 mm) in Ca(OH)2-dosed fresh urine and Milli-Q water at two temperatures (20 °C and 45 °C). Evaluation of degraded films by XRD, GPC and SEM showed changes in crystallinity, reduction in molecular weights and change in surface morphology, respectively. SEM/EDX, FTIR and ICP-OES data indicated that L-CaL2, L-lactides and lactic acid were formed in urine. Overall, we found that thinner films, higher temperature and higher pH accelerated PLLA degradation in urine.

Vanillin cross-linked chitosan/gelatin bio-polymer film with antioxidant, water resistance and ultraviolet-proof properties

Cross-linking is the most promising method for preparing high-performance chitosan/gelatin bio-polymer film. In this work, vanillin cross-linked chitosan/gelatin bio-polymer (CGGV) film with good mechanics, water resistance, antioxidant and ultraviolet-proof property was prepared. The micro-structure, physical and functional properties of CGGV film were studied. Results showed that vanillin as a cross-linking agent provided a compact inner micro-structure through Schiff base and hydrogen bond interaction. Moderate cross-linking significantly improved mechanical strength, thermal ability, hydrophobicity of the films and reduced the water vapor permeability, swelling ratio and water solubility. Especially, CGGV films showed stronger ultraviolet-proof properties and possessed potent radical scavenging activity. Therefore, CGGV film is suitable to protect per-mature fruits and could be used as novel multifunctional packaging in the agriculture and foods industry.

TiO2 incorporated into a blend of biopolymeric matrices improves film properties and affects the postharvest conservation of papaya fruits under UV light

This work investigated the properties of chitosan-cassava starch biopolymeric films containing nanometric photoactive TiO2 particles for use in postharvest conservation of papaya fruits under UV light at a temperature of 15 ± 1 °C and a relative humidity of 90 ± 1 % for 24 days. Starch-chitosan blend films showed intermediate hydrophobicity and improved mechanical properties. The addition of 1 % TiO2 into the polymeric matrix of starch/chitosan (1:1) further improved the mechanical properties with solubility of 16.04 ± 0.41 %, visible transmittance of 31.76 ± 1.58 %, and reduced UV transmittance of more than 97 %. However, the addition of TiO2 exceeding 1 % led to the formation of agglomerates and excessive reduction in film transparency. UV exposure damaged the fruit peel and resulted in a higher weight loss. In contrast, the addition of 1 % TiO2 to the blend reduced the weight loss in light and dark by 7.12 ± 1.57 % and 5.27 ± 0.31 % respectively, and delayed fruit ripening.