Advanced PBAT/Fe₃O₄ nanocomposite films for extending the shelf life of cherry tomatoes

Herein, Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (NPs) were incorporated into poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) packaging films via solvent casting, producing films with uniform thickness and excellent flexibility. The PF3 film exhibited the highest tensile strength (40.5 MPa), representing a 127.5 % increase over neat PBAT (17.8 MPa), and a 247.2 % higher elongation at break. Fe₃O₄ NP addition imparted strong antibacterial activity, with inhibition zones of 13.5 (Staphylococcus aureus) and 14.7 mm (Escherichia coli). PF3 exhibited a water contact angle of 80.42°, indicating hydrophobicity. The barrier properties of PF3 were enhanced, reducing the oxygen transmission rate from 1085.65 to 398.55 cc·m^-2·24 h^-1 and water vapor transmission rate from 108.20 to 40.78 g·m^-2·24 h^-1, confirming its suitability for packaging applications. In preservation studies, PBAT/Fe₃O₄ films demonstrated remarkable effectiveness by extending cherry tomato shelf life from 1 to 15 days. These findings highlight the potential of these biodegradable nanocomposite films as eco-friendly packaging solutions for perishable fruits.