Murraya koenigii extract blended nanocellulose-polyethylene glycol thin films for the sustainable synthesis of antibacterial food packaging

Abstract

Non-biodegradable plastics are a worldwide problem that have a negative impact on all living things, including humans. Nanocellulose, an excellent biopolymer is known for their increasing uses in food, healthcare, cosmetics, and various other fields. Nanocellulose is readily biodegradable, bioderived, and useful for creating innovative bioplastics that are employed in the production of food packaging and wound dressing. Curry leaves (Murraya koenigii) belongs to the rutaceae family and has many health benefits. Synthesis of Murraya koenigii incorporated nanocellulose thin films, and its characterisation using FT-IR, and XRD is discussed in detail. The source of nanocellulose in this study is sugar cane bagasse, an easily available agricultural residue in Kerala. Also, a biocompatible plasticizer is utilised to produce antibacterial packaging for food. The synthesised nanocomposites showed non-toxicity against THP1-derived macrophage cells and significant antibacterial activity against gram positive and gram-negative bacteria suggesting the possible application as a viable alternative for food packaging materials.