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<p>Non-biodegradable plastic waste from food packaging poses a serious environmental threat. In addition, the annual loss of nearly 30% of food produced for human consumption highlights the need for sustainable and multifunctional packaging systems. The increasing demand for preservative-free foods further emphasizes the requirement for packaging materials that combine microbial inhibition with real-time quality monitoring. In this context, a series of films were developed by using a modified solution casting method, with tamarind seed starch as the biodegradable matrix and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) as the reinforcing material. The films were further incorporated with trans-cinnamaldehyde (TCA) as a bioactive antimicrobial agent and anthocyanin-rich beetroot powder as a natural pH-sensitive indicator. The prepared films were characterized for antimicrobial efficacy, thermal stability, molecular interactions (FTIR), surface morphology (SEM), hydro-physical properties (WCA, WVTR, moisture uptake, and solubility), mechanical strength, optical transparency (UV-Vis), and biodegradability. The effects of MCC (2–6% w/w), TCA (1–3% v/v), and beetroot powder (10–30% w/w) were systematically evaluated. MCC significantly improved tensile strength and barrier properties, while TCA showed significant antibacterial activity against <i>S. aureus</i> and <i>E. coli</i>, extending the microbial shelf-life of packaged broccoli. Anthocyanins enabled pH-responsive colour transitions from reddish to yellowish, indicating freshness. The developed films offer a sustainable plastic alternative with antimicrobial, intelligent, and biodegradable packaging functions under the studied conditions. However, further validation under real packaging conditions with different food systems is required to confirm their practical applicability.</p> Graphical abstract <p></p>

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Smart and active biocomposite films from tamarind seed starch, MCC, and trans-cinnamaldehyde for sustainable food packaging

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月10日

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  • Dharmendra Kumar,
  • Vishal Srivastava,
  • Dipayan Das

摘要

Non-biodegradable plastic waste from food packaging poses a serious environmental threat. In addition, the annual loss of nearly 30% of food produced for human consumption highlights the need for sustainable and multifunctional packaging systems. The increasing demand for preservative-free foods further emphasizes the requirement for packaging materials that combine microbial inhibition with real-time quality monitoring. In this context, a series of films were developed by using a modified solution casting method, with tamarind seed starch as the biodegradable matrix and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) as the reinforcing material. The films were further incorporated with trans-cinnamaldehyde (TCA) as a bioactive antimicrobial agent and anthocyanin-rich beetroot powder as a natural pH-sensitive indicator. The prepared films were characterized for antimicrobial efficacy, thermal stability, molecular interactions (FTIR), surface morphology (SEM), hydro-physical properties (WCA, WVTR, moisture uptake, and solubility), mechanical strength, optical transparency (UV-Vis), and biodegradability. The effects of MCC (2–6% w/w), TCA (1–3% v/v), and beetroot powder (10–30% w/w) were systematically evaluated. MCC significantly improved tensile strength and barrier properties, while TCA showed significant antibacterial activity against S. aureus and E. coli, extending the microbial shelf-life of packaged broccoli. Anthocyanins enabled pH-responsive colour transitions from reddish to yellowish, indicating freshness. The developed films offer a sustainable plastic alternative with antimicrobial, intelligent, and biodegradable packaging functions under the studied conditions. However, further validation under real packaging conditions with different food systems is required to confirm their practical applicability.

Graphical abstract