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Abstract This research aims to develop chitosan-zein protein films supplemented withBergenia ciliata(Bc) extract, a traditionally important medical herb of Himalayan origin. The film’s physicochemical, mechanical, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties were systematically explored. The opacity of chitosan film increased from 2.42 ± 0.97 to 10.32 ± 1.44 upon introducing zein (Z) protein in chitosan (Cs) in a 1:2 ratio (w/w); conferring enhanced UV-blocking attributes. IncorporatingB. ciliataextracts in the chitosan-zein film (Cs-Z-Bc) under optimized conditions further increased the opacity to 16.27 ± 1.03 without compromising the tensile strength. The α-diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazyl scavenging activity of the Cs-Z-Bc film was found to be 97.07 ± 1.09%. Additionally, these optimized films displayed significant antimicrobial efficacy, with zones of inhibition of 11.4 mm measured for gram-positive strains likeC. subtilisandS. aureusand 11.2 mm and 11.1 mm forE. coliandK. pneumoniae(gram-negative) bacterial strains. The film also showed excellent biodegradable properties. The shelf life study of Himalayan cheese was significantly increased when wrapped with the film. These findings suggested thatB. ciliataextract-fortified chitosan-zein films can be an excellent food packaging material.
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This content will become publicly available on August 1, 2026
Tuning Corn Zein-Chitosan Biocomposites via Mild Alkaline Treatment: Structural and Physicochemical Property Insights
This study investigates the structural and functional enhancement of corn zein–chitosan composites via mild alkaline treatment to develop biodegradable protein-polysaccharide materials for diverse applications. Films with varying zein-to-chitosan ratios were fabricated and characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Both untreated and sodium hydroxide (NaOH)-treated films were evaluated to assess changes in physicochemical properties. FTIR analysis revealed that NaOH treatment promoted deprotonation of chitosan’s amine groups, partial removal of ionic residues, and increased deacetylation, collectively enhancing hydrogen bonding and resulting in a denser molecular network. Simultaneously, partial unfolding of zein’s α-helical structures improved conformational flexibility and strengthened interactions with chitosan. These molecular-level changes led to improved thermal stability, reduced degradation, and the development of porous microstructures. Controlled NaOH treatment thus provides an effective strategy to tailor the physicochemical properties of zein–chitosan composite films, supporting their potential in sustainable food packaging, wound healing, and drug delivery applications.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2037097
- PAR ID:
- 10646973
- Publisher / Repository:
- MDPI
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Polymers
- Volume:
- 17
- Issue:
- 15
- ISSN:
- 2073-4360
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 2161
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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