Development of biopolymeric film using natural polymer extracted from Muntingia calabura leaves

Abstract

Abstract: Over the last decade, there has been an increase in research on innovative biobased products like food packaging, mostly due to concern about worldwide environmental plastic pollution.  The use of plant-based natural polymer in the preparation of durable biopolymers and functional polymeric materials offers a viable alternative to synthetic polymers.  Their popularity has grown in part due to the environmental degradation created by improper disposal of plastic packaging.  Adequate hydroxyl moiety, quick accessibility, environmentally-safe, and reaction affinity with other substances make cellulose a basic factor for polymeric synthesis and for preparing antimicrobial food packaging for the shelf life extension of perishable foods.  This work aims to prepare a film-forming polymeric solution with leaves of Muntingia calabura(MC) as an active ingredient for the formation of the Muntingia calabura cellulose-based biopolymeric film (MCCF).  Cellulose, extracted from the leaves of MC and the leaf extract were used for the preparation of the biopolymeric film.  The properties of cellulose-based film were studied.    The XRD and FTIR spectroscopy recognized the interaction of the cellulose/Poly vinyl alcohol blend; the morphology of the film was studied by SEM, where we can understand the surface of the film and texture of the extracted cellulose.  The prepared MCCF shows promising antimicrobial activity against bacteria and fungi present in the oral environment.  Hence this film could be suitable for food packaging and wound healing applications.  The results of the present investigation suggest that the biosynthesized polymeric film from Muntingia calabura leaves has a good potential to be a remarkable technological innovation to prevent microbiological contamination to ensure food safety and preservation.