PLA/ Curcumin Biocomposite Films for Food Packaging

The present research emphasizes the synthesis of Polylactic acid (PLA) based biocomposite films incorporating curcumin additive via the solvent casting technique. The fabricated biocomposite films were subjected to different characterization methodologies like Thermogravimetric analysis and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and were further analyzed for surface wettability, in-vitro release, kinetics study, water vapour permeability, mechanical properties, and biodegradability. PLA/ curcumin (1.0% by wt.) biocomposite films demonstrated enhanced hydrophobicity, barrier properties (2.28% reduction in water vapour permeability values), mechanical properties (16.81% increment in tensile strength), and biodegradability (3.39% weight loss) compared to control PLA films and also displayed better-sustained release profiles (3.844% in vitro release) with curcumin release fitting well with the Korsmeyer–Peppas model (R² = 0.9581, release exponent value, n < 0.5), suggesting a Quasi-Fickian mode of drug diffusion from the polymer matrix. The fabricated PLA-based biocomposite films could be employed for food packaging applications. The interaction of PLA with curcumin was analyzed computationally through molecular dynamics simulations performed through Biovia Materials Studio software. A negative interaction energy value was obtained, signifying the binding of the additive with the polymer. Furthermore, secondary bonding interactions were also examined where the carbonyl group (C = O) of PLA and hydroxyl group (–OH) of curcumin were linked via hydrogen bonds, supporting enhanced mechanical properties obtained experimentally.