Active and smart antimicrobial food packaging film composed of date palm kernels extract loaded carboxymethyl chitosan and carboxymethyl starch composite for prohibiting foodborne pathogens during fruits preservation

The presented work aims to maximize the benefits of plant waste that does not degrade or decompose quickly and consumes an enormous financial burden for disposal or causes environmental pollution. Therefore, polymeric films of carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCs) and carboxymethyl starch (CMS) containing date kernel (DK) extract were prepared, intending to apply it as a material that can kill microbes that lead to spoilage of preserved fruits. It was noted from the results that DK extract did not affect the morphological structure of the formed films, and there is good compatibility with film polymers. The findings also illustrated that, DK extract aimed to form bonds with both polymers in the presence of the crosslinking agent, which eventually works to create insoluble films in water to a large extent. Results revealed that the CMCs/CMS/DK-3 had superior antimicrobial possibilities against all selected microbes without any hazardous effect while applied to the microbially contaminated solution. The current study recommended such promising edible film as a potential prototype for developing antimicrobial food packaging materials that promote the safety and freshness of fruits and vegetables.

Automated summary

The study aimed to utilize plant waste and prepare polymeric films with date kernel extract to kill microbes that cause spoilage of preserved fruits. The results showed that the extract had good compatibility with the film polymers and created insoluble films in water to a large extent. The films demonstrated superior antimicrobial possibilities without any hazardous effect on the contaminated solution.