Bio-reconstituted synergistic pectin-phenolic system from mandarin peels: COSMO-RS validated NADES extraction for...

Food waste is generated predominantly during production and storage processes. Biorefining mandarin peels, an abundant by-product rich in pectin and phenolic compounds, into food packaging materials tackles food waste at both stages. Through the screening of Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (NADES) and optimizing extraction conditions through Response Surface Methodology (RSM), phenolic compounds (17.25 ± 0.16 mg GAE/g DW) were extracted from mandarin peels. The mechanism of extraction and superiority of betaine:glycerol were validated through LC-MS analysis and COSMO-RS simulations. Subsequently, a strategy was developed to incorporate betaine-based NADES extract directly into pectin as a plasticizer. This approach eliminated the tediousness of separation while obtaining environmentally friendly food packaging bioplastic film with good mechanical properties (Elongation at break: 54.80 ± 0.20 %), UV resistance (UVB 99.96 %, UVA 97.99 %), and antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.