Development of hydrophobic jute fibers reinforced chitosan/guar gum biocomposite film for sustainable food packaging solution

This work focused on the development of a hydrophobic biocomposite film reinforced with natural jute fiber. The biocomposite was made using a blend of chitosan and guar gum and reinforced with varying concentration of jute fiber followed by casting and air drying in petri dishes. Microscopic analysis of the cross-sectional structure of the films revealed a dense, compact morphology and FTIR result shows evidence of chemical interaction of the composite components. The inclusion of Jute fiber was found to increase the water repellant capacity of the films. The film water vapor permeability (WVP) was reduced from 4.1 × 10−10 (g/m2•day•kPa) to 1.2 × 10−10 (g/m2•day•kPa) with addition of jute fiber. Although the presence of Jute affects color properties of the films, it significantly improved their ability to block UV–Vis light. The tensile strength and elongation at break of CS/GG 0 % JT film, CS/GG/1 % JT, CS/GG/1.25 %JT and, CS/GG/1.5 % JT film was turned out to be (38.4 MPa, 45.3 MPa, 51.6 MPa and 60 MPa), (15.33 %, 17.66 %, 21.33 % and, 14 %) respectively. Notably, an increased in the DPPH radical scavenging assay was also observed from ∼87 % in CS/GG composite to 99.4 % (1 % JT film), 99.66 % (1.25 %JT film) and 99.83 % for 1.5 % JT reinforced films respectively. Furthermore, all films showed excellent antimicrobial activity against the foodborne pathogen Escherichia coli and Fusarium oxysporum fungi highlighting their potential as active food packaging material. Signs of biodegradation were observed following four month of soil burial test, confirming the environmental sustainability of the produced biocomposite film.