Sustainable food packaging films based on alginate and aloe vera

Biodegradable films based on sodium alginate and aloe vera were prepared by casting technique. The resulting films were characterized by swelling behavior, scanning electron microscopy, biodegradation, as well as mechanical and barrier properties. The aloe vera gel exerted a positive influence on mechanical and physico-chemical properties. Aloe vera gel improved the tensile strength of the films giving maximum value of 21.20 N/mm(2) at 20% gel. Water vapor permeability of the composite films was reduced which made the film more effective as a moisture barrier, giving the most efficient result of 1.16 x 10(-10) g m(-1) s(-1) Pa-1 at 50% aloe vera gel. The present study demonstrates the viability of the composite alginate aloe vera films as a biodegradable alternative to synthetic plastic films for the packaging of food materials.

Automated summary

Biodegradable films based on sodium alginate and aloe vera were prepared and characterized. The addition of aloe vera gel improved the mechanical and physico-chemical properties of the films, enhancing the tensile strength and reducing the water vapor permeability, making the film more effective as a moisture barrier.