Chitosan nanoparticles and neem essential oil functionalized pullulan/gum arabic active edible biocomposites for...

The study demonstrates the preparation of active edible biocomposites using Pullulan (PUL) and Gum Arabic (GA), functionalized with Chitosan Nanoparticles (NCS) and Neem Essential Oil (NEO). These biocomposites addressed the issues of high hydrophilicity and poor barrier properties in packaging. The effects of varying NCS concentrations (1 %, 2 %, and 3 %) on various film properties were studied, while keeping PUL, GA, and NEO concentrations constant. The biocomposite containing NEO and 3 % NCS (PUL/GA/NCS3/NEO), significantly improved surface properties, transforming it from hydrophilic (water contact angle 55.49 ± 2.31°) to hydrophobic (115.01 ± 1.86°). Additionally, tensile strength increased by ∼12.77 MPa, elongation at break by ∼6.26 %, thermal stability (T_offset) by ∼22.49 °C, and water vapour barrier by ∼45.95 %, alongside enhanced UV-shielding, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. The EDX analysis confirmed the biocomposite safety, with 55.7 % carbon (C), 3.6 % nitrogen (N), and 40.8 % oxygen (O). Moreover, in vitro biocompatibility tests on Human Embryonic Kidney (HEK-293) cells indicated non-cytotoxicity, with 86.82 ± 2.28 % viability after 72 h. Furthermore, the practical application of PUL/GA/NCS3/NEO solution was tested as an edible coating material for fresh-cut guava preservation. The coated guava better maintained storage quality parameters in terms of colour, weight loss, firmness, microbiological shelf-life and antioxidant activity, under both ambient and refrigerated conditions.