Development and characterization of sustainable chitosan film enriched with ashwagandha extract as an alternative packaging material for enhancing shelf life of fresh-cut fruits

The current study aimed to develop biodegradable chitosan (Cs) films enriched with Ashwagandha (ASH) extract as an active packaging material to extend the shelf life of fresh-cut strawberries. The ASH extract, obtained through methanolic extraction, demonstrated significant antimicrobial and antioxidant activities, as confirmed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), which identified 12 bioactive compounds, including <i>n</i>-hexadecanoic acid (30.42%) and <i>cis</i>-13-octadecenoic acid (31.68%). The ASH loaded Cs films, prepared at varying concentrations of ASH extract, were characterized for surface morphology, water vapor transmission rate (WVTR), oxygen permeability (OP), and water contact angle (WCA). The films' hydrophilicity was improved with increasing ASH concentration, reducing the WCA from 112.4° (Cs) to 77.3° (ASH6/Cs). Antibacterial evaluation of the ASH3/Cs film revealed potent inhibition against <i>Salmonella typhi</i> (35.49 mm), <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> (34.85 mm), <i>Bacillus subtilis</i> (31.64 mm), <i>Listeria monocytogenes</i> (31.71 mm), and <i>Candida albicans</i> (29.25 mm). When tested over a 9-day storage period, the ASH3/Cs film effectively preserved fresh-cut strawberries, reducing microbial growth, weight loss, and decay compared to polyethylene (PE) packaging. These results highlight the potential of ASH3/Cs film as a sustainable and efficient alternative for food packaging, offering enhanced preservation and safety for perishable fruits.