Development and evaluation of an active film based on κ-carrageenan/hydroxypropyl methylcellulose containing pomegranate peel extract and its application for freshness preservation

• Developed a κ-carrageenan/hydroxypropyl methylcellulose biofilm incorporating pomegranate peel extract (CHPPE). • The addition of PPE enhanced the moisture and UV-light resistance of active films, demonstrating excellent antibacterial performance. • CHPPE active films successfully retarded browning of fresh-cut fruit by inhibiting PPO activity. • CHPPE active films could preserve the freshness and improve the shelf-life quality of pork. In present work, κ-carrageenan/hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC)-based films enriched with naturally sourced pomegranate peel extract (PPE) were prepared. Different PPE contents (0, 20, 40, 60, and 80 % w/w κ-carrageenan) were incorporated into the κ-carrageenan/HPMC matrix film to evaluate the influence of PPE on diverse properties of the acquired CHPPE active films. Increasing PPE proportion notably altered physical properties of the film, enhanced moisture and UV-light (diminishing transmittance from 84.71 % to 1.19 % at 400 nm) resistance capability, while FTIR and XRD results revealed the hydrogen bonds formed between PPE and the film matrix have a prominent impact on the chemical structure and crystalline texture of the active films. The matrix films carrying the PPE possessed excellent antioxidant capacity, demonstrating a scavenging rate exceeding 90% for both DPPH and ABTS. Additionally, CHPPE films indicated remarkable antibacterial effect, with the incorporation of 80% PPE had superior inhibitory ability against Salmonella typhimurium and Listeria monocytogenes than Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus . Crucially, CHPPE active films, particularly with 40% PPE, played a pivotal role in mitigating both browning severity and weight loss in fresh-cut apples, concurrently retarding microbial proliferation and freshness decline during the storage period of pork. These findings propose that CHPPE active films possess significant potential as effective active packaging materials, enhancing the freshness and extending the shelf life of perishable foods.