Physicochemical investigation on eco-sustainable food packaging: valorisation of Moringa fibre and rice bran with embedded ZnO nanoparticles

Eco-friendly packaging materials are essential alternating findings to cope with the escalating production rate of toxic plastic materials. Nanoparticles (NPs) of Zinc Oxide (ZnO) with an average dimension of 32.34 nm have been synthesised and studied using XRD, and FESEM. The active mixture (ACM), prepared with NPs, Moringa oleifera fruit fibre and Oryza sativa bran was investigated for their composition and functional groups using EDX and FTIR spectra. Improvised thermal stability of the active mixture was examined to be up to 850 ºC with TGA. The ACM was tailored by glycerol and encapsulated with low wt.% of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) at ratios (Film 1–0.7 wt., Film 2–0.9 wt., Film 3–1.1 wt., and Film 4–1.3 wt.%). All the films block up to 99% of the total UV radiation incident and have visible light transmittance ≥ 60% (600 nm). Upsurged antimicrobial activities of the film were studied against Pseudomonas aeruginosa with an inhibition zone of 26 mm for 150 μg/ml concentration proving its predominant activity which is 68.46% higher than the ACM. The physical and mechanical properties of the prepared films were investigated and observed that Film 4 exhibits a tensile strength (3.09 MPa) value higher than pure PVA. The biodegradable nanocomposite was incontestable to be more advantageous than the synthetic polymer PVA. The study emphasises that the fabricated films are beneficial and eco-friendly, that enhance the stored food's shelf life. Hence, this biomaterials-based biodegradable film would be used in the food industry and other packaging.