Development of Chitosan-Based Films Incorporated with Chestnut Flower Essential Oil That Possess Good Anti-Ultraviolet Radiation and Antibacterial Effects for Banana Storage

Abstract

New and valuable packaging materials, with high biocompatibility and biodegradability, have garnered attention in recent years. The aim of this study was to investigate the physicochemical characterization and biological activities of chitosan (CH)-based composite films with the incorporation of chestnut flower essential oil (CFEO). The composite films were prepared by the casting method and characterized in terms of structural, morphological, and mechanical properties via FT-IR, XRD, UV, SEM, AFM, and TGA. Antibacterial properties were investigated using Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Calletotrichum musae. Antioxidant capabilities were measured by DPPH assay. The results proved the significantly increased water vapor permeability (WVP), heat resistance, and antibacterial and antioxidant capabilities of CH-CFEO films. The incorporation of CH and CFEO enhanced UV blocking, which made the film shield almost all UV light. Films with a tensile strength of 6.37 ± 0.41 MPa and an elongation at break of 22.57 ± 0.35% were obtained with 6 mg mL−1 of CFEO. Subsequently, banana preservation experiments also confirmed that the composite films could effectively extend shelf life through reducing weight loss. These desirable performances enable our newly developed composite films to be a remarkable packaging material to become alternatives to traditional petroleum-based food-packaging materials and solve the fresh fruit preservation dilemma.