Muskmelon Peel Extract-Reinforced Chitosan/Gelatin/Starch Composite Films for Biodegradable Food-Packaging Applications

Supriya V; Nivetha S; Vinitha S; Harshavardhini V.S; Ramya S

doi:10.34256/ijceae2614

Supriya V Department of Chemical Engineering, Andhra University College of Engineering, Visakhapatnam 530002, Andhra Pradesh, India
Nivetha S Department of Biotechnology, Karpagam College of Engineering, Coimbatore 641032, Tamil Nadu, India
Vinitha S Department of Biotechnology, Sri Shakthi Institute of Engineering and Technology, Coimbatore 641062, Tamil Nadu, India
Harshavardhini V.S Department of Biotechnology, Sri Shakthi Institute of Engineering and Technology, Coimbatore 641062, Tamil Nadu, India
Ramya S Department of Biotechnology, Sri Shakthi Institute of Engineering and Technology, Coimbatore 641062, Tamil Nadu, India

DOI: https://doi.org/10.34256/ijceae2614

Keywords: Active Packaging, Biodegradable Film, Chitosan, Fruit-Peel Valorisation, Muskmelon Peel Extract, Solution Casting

Abstract

Petroleum-derived food-packaging materials provide useful mechanical and barrier performance but create persistent end-of-life waste. This study reports the preparation of biodegradable composite films based on chitosan, gelatin, starch, glycerol and muskmelon peel extract (MPE). Chitosan was obtained from mud-crab shell waste through deproteinisation, demineralisation, decolourisation and deacetylation. Muskmelon peel was dried, milled and extracted using an aqueous ethanol system. Composite film-forming solutions containing 0%, 10% and 30% MPE were prepared by solution casting. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy was used to examine the functional groups of the extracted chitosan, and macroscopic film formation was assessed after drying and conditioning. The extracted material exhibited the characteristic broad hydroxyl/amino absorption region and amide-associated bands expected for chitosan. Continuous self-supporting films were obtained at the tested MPE concentrations, with visible formulation-dependent differences in colour and appearance. These observations demonstrate the feasibility of incorporating muskmelon peel-derived components into a chitosan/gelatin/starch matrix. However, tensile strength, elongation, water-vapour permeability, antioxidant capacity, antimicrobial activity, migration safety, biodegradation and food shelf-life performance were not quantitatively evaluated in the present work. The films should therefore be considered preliminary laboratory prototypes rather than validated food-contact packaging. Future studies should establish composition-property relationships and verify safety and preservation performance using standardised methods.

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