DEVELOPMENT OF BIODEGRADABLE ACTIVE FOOD PACKAGING FROM AGRICULTURAL WASTES: PRODUCTION, CHARACTERIZATION, AND APPLICATION OF FILMS WITH BANANA PEEL AND OLIVE LEAF EXTRACT

Abstract

The objective of this study is to produce a biodegradable active food package by using agricultural wastes; banana peel and olive leaf extract (OLE). To investigate the possible effect of plasticized starch at different concentrations (0%, 5%, 10%, and 15%), corn starch was added to the films. The films were analyzed in terms of physical characteristics (moisture content, swelling degree, water solubility, density, opacity), water vapor permeability, and mechanical properties. In addition, the phenolic content and antioxidant activity of the films were measured and antimicrobial activity of the films were tested on common food-borne pathogens. Films with better characteristics (B_S15_OLE) were selected to investigate the possible influence of the active films on shelf life of strawberries. Finally, it was shown that at the end of 10days, the films were almost completely decomposed.