ABSTRACT
A sustainable multifunctional food packaging composite film containing waste garlic peel extract (GPE) and Chitosan (CH) was prepared. This film exhibited antimicrobial potential towards Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae. GPE/CH films' morphological, physical, and functional properties were compared to those of CH film. Fourier transform infrared showed the interactions through hydrogen bonding between CH and GPE in the blends that improved the polymers' compatibility. Furthermore, X-ray diffraction analysis validated the compatibility between GPE and CH. GPE/CH films exhibited higher thickness and moisture content than the CH film. Remarkably, GPE/CH films showed lower water vapor barrier properties and higher ultra-violet protection and mechanical strength than CH film. Compact surfaces of the GPE infused CH films were unveiled through Scanning electron microscopy. GPE/CH film showed improved thermal stability after the addition of GPE. MTT method's cytotoxicity study manifested that the GPE/CH films are antioxidant and non-cytotoxic, implicating their biocompatibility and non-toxicity. The results suggest that GPE/CH films can find widespread commercial applications like food packaging materials, replacing the commonly used petrochemical plastics.
Subject(s)
Chitosan/chemistry , Food Packaging , Garlic/chemistry , Membranes, Artificial , Plant Extracts/chemistry , Waste Products , Anti-Infective Agents/chemistry , Anti-Infective Agents/pharmacology , Antioxidants/chemistry , Antioxidants/pharmacology , Biocompatible Materials/chemistry , Biopolymers/chemistry , Chemical Phenomena , Mechanical Phenomena , Microbial Sensitivity Tests , Permeability , Spectrum Analysis , Steam , ThermogravimetryABSTRACT
With the focus of industries shifting towards sustainable processing methods and the use of sustainable raw materials, reuse and recycling of polyester have gained a lot of momentum. In spite of considerable efforts, the utilization of polyester fiber waste has not yet found a strong foundation in textile processing. In this paper, waste polyester fibers obtained during the melt spinning process has been utilized by first dissolving it in an m-cresol solvent and later by chemical route polyester is regenerated on cotton leading to the preparation of cotton based composite fabric. The presence of polyester was confirmed using XRD, FTIR, and percent add on and SEM. Percent add on of 9.7% along with the doubling of tensile strength and enhanced thermal stability was observed. The results can make a way as one of the possibilities of utilizing polyester fiber waste.
