Chitosan-Lemongrass Essential Oil on Paperboard for Active Food Packaging Applications

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Food Packaging Technology
• Sustainable Materials

Background:

• Conventional food packaging poses environmental challenges.
• Development of active and sustainable packaging is crucial for the food industry.
• Chitosan and essential oils offer biodegradable and functional properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and characterize an active, sustainable paperboard packaging material using chitosan and lemongrass essential oil.
• To evaluate the physical, chemical, mechanical, and safety properties of the coated paperboard.
• To assess its potential for food applications.

Main Methods:

• Coating paperboard with a chitosan and lemongrass essential oil solution.
• Characterization using colorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, contact angle measurements, FTIR, XRD, mechanical testing, and cytotoxicity assays.
• Evaluation of tensile strength, Taber stiffness, thermal stability, hydrophobicity, and cell viability.

Main Results:

• The active coated paperboard exhibited a homogeneous, yellowish appearance.
• Increased coating layers enhanced tensile strength; oil concentration impacted stiffness.
• Hydrophobic properties were confirmed by contact angle measurements.
• Cytotoxicity analysis suggested safe food contact with optimized oil concentration.

Conclusions:

• The chitosan-lemongrass essential oil coated paperboard is a viable, sustainable active packaging material.
• It demonstrates promising mechanical, thermal, and hydrophobic properties.
• The material is safe for food contact, offering an eco-friendly alternative.