Eco-friendly films from lemon peel pectin including essential oils for the sustainable tomato preservation

Several fruits and vegetables deteriorate within a few days, which poses a major challenge for their preservation and commercialization. To address this issue, this study reports on developing eco-friendly and safe films based on pectin extracted from lemon peel, enriched with essential oils, for a sustainable preservation of tomatoes. Pectin was extracted from Citrus limon peels using an innovative high-pressure treatment, achieving higher yields than conventional methods. The extracted pectin was characterized using advanced analytical techniques, FT-IR, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC), and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Additionally, essential oils extracted from lemon and laurel were characterized by GC-MS to identify their active components. Pectin-chitosan-based films, with or without laurel and lemon essential oils, were prepared and evaluated for their mechanical properties, antimicrobial activity, moisture resistance, solubility, and biodegradability. These films were then tested for tomato preservation, demonstrating a significant extension of their shelf life beyond one month. Acting as a protective second skin, these films extend the freshness of fruits and vegetables by preventing microbial growth and reducing moisture loss. The results highlight the potential of these safe and eco-friendly films as a promising alternative to conventional plastic films. • Pectin was extracted from lemon peels ( Citrus limon ) using a high-pressure treatment. • Pectin-chitosan films were loaded with laurel and lemon essential oils. • The films demonstrated strong antibacterial activity against common bacteria. • The films are promising candidates for sustainable food packaging. • The films present active preservation properties.