Neem extract-blended nanocellulose derived from jackfruit peel for antibacterial packagings

The use of jackfruit peel as a source for natural and fully biodegradable "nanocellulose" (NC) for the production of bioplastics with Azadirachta indica (A. indica) extracts and polyethylene glycol (PEG) for the antibacterial properties is investigated. The characterization of the biocomposite using FT-IR and WXRD was reported. The physicochemical properties including thickness, moisture content, water holding capacity, swelling, porosity, and biodegradability in soil were investigated. The incorporation of A. indica extract revealed an increased shelf life due to the strong antibacterial activity, and these biocomposites were degraded in soil within 60 days after the end use without any harm to the environment. Jackfruit-derived nanocellulose film blended with A. indica extract exhibited strong antibacterial activity against gram-positive and gram-negative food spoilage bacteria. Disc diffusion assay, live/dead assay, and CFU analysis confirmed the antibacterial property of the synthesized film. Moreover, the films clearly prevented the biofilm formation in bacteria. Thus, the developed bioplastics can be utilized as appropriate substitutes to food packaging materials and also for biomedical applications such as wound dressings.