Bioactive chitosan-based films with kamias (averrhoa bilimbi) leaf extract for food packaging/
Camille V. Bulo, Erica Mae T. Namang, and Erica Angeli Seno.--
- Manila: Technological University of the Philippines, 2025.
- xiv, 141pages: 29cm.
Bachelor's thesis
College Of Science.--
Includes bibliographic references and index.
Food spoilage due to microbial contamination and inadequate packaging contributes significantly to global food waste, with nearly 14% of food lost before retail for fruits and vegetables accounting for nearly half of this loss. This study aimed to develop a bioactive chitosan-based film incorporated with varying concentrations (0%, 0.2%, 0.5% and 1.0%) of Kamias (Averrhoa bilimbi) leaf extract (KLE) for food packaging. The films were assessed based on their physicochemical, durability, mechanical, barrier, thermal, and biodegradation properties enhanced film thickness, density, color, opacity, and water resistance. FTIR analysis confirmed successful incorporation of KLE, while Light microscopy and SEM revealed increased surface roughness at higher KLE levels. The film with 0.5% KLE demonstrated the highest tensile strength (117.96 MPa) while 0.2% KLE yielded the greatest flexibility (62.44% elongation at break). Thermal analysis indicated increased heat stability with higher KLE content. Soil burial tests revealed slower degradation with increasing KLE, especially at deeper burial depths, indicating improved durability. Antimicrobial activity, tested using the disc diffusion method against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, showed partial inhibitory effects in the control chitosan film. However, the addition of KLE did not improve antimicrobial performance under the tested conditions. Despite this, consumer evaluation favored films with 0.2% and 0.5% KLE for usability and acceptability.
Chitosan films Kamias leaf extract Bioactive packaging