Development of Sustainable Active Biocomposite Films from Rice Flour, Carrageenan, and Date Pit Extract for Enhanced Food Packaging and Shelf Life Extension of Perishable Dairy Products

This study developed novel biocomposite active films from rice flour (a low cost agricultural by product) and carrageenan, reinforced with polyphenol rich date pit extract (DPE) at ۰, ۱, ۲, and ۳% (w/w), using glycerol as a plasticizer and the solvent casting method. The optimal formulation (T۲, ۲% DPE) significantly improved mechanical performance, increasing tensile strength by approximately ۴۴% to ۲۵.۸ MPa, while achieving the lowest water vapor permeability (۶.۴۷ × ۱۰⁻¹¹ g/m·s·Pa). FTIR and SEM analyses confirmed robust hydrogen bonding and homogeneous microstructural distribution at ۲% DPE, whereas ۳% loading caused molecular aggregation and phase separation. The active films exhibited a substantial increase in total phenolic content and radical scavenging activity (DPPH and ABTS), maintaining exceptional biochemical stability over ۱۲ weeks of storage. The soil burial test verified rapid biodegradation (۹۵ ۱۰۰% within ۳۰ days), confirming environmental sustainability. Preliminary application on soft cheese demonstrated that T۲ and T۳ films maintained total viable counts below the spoilage threshold (۷ log CFU/g) throughout ۲۱ days of refrigerated storage, extending shelf life by ۲ ۴ days compared to control films. From an industrial perspective, these films offer multiple benefits: (i) reducing dependence on synthetic plastics through the use of renewable agricultural by products; (ii) extending the shelf life of perishable dairy products through controlled release of bioactive phenolic compounds; (iii) reducing food waste and associated economic losses; and (iv) meeting growing consumer demand for clean label, environmentally sustainable packaging

کلیدواژه ها:

Rice flour ، Active packaging ، Biodegradable Films ، Shelf Life Extension ، dairy packaging ، food sustainability