Active nanocomposite film for sustainable packaging: A study on sodium alginate, polyvinyl alcohol, honey, and zinc oxide nanoparticles

The increasing number of non-biodegradable plastic waste and the restricted efficacy of biopolymer films underscore the necessity for sustainable food packaging materials with improved preservation properties, responding to escalating environmental issues. A biocompatible nanocomposite film employing zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) and honey was developed to improve food shelf life and reduce packaging material's environmental impact. ZnO-NPs and honey were added to sodium alginate and polyvinyl alcohol polymeric hydrogel films to increase mechanical, antibacterial, antioxidant, and barrier characteristics. The characterization of the films verified that ZnO-NPs were effectively synthesized and integrated into the sodium alginate and polyvinyl alcohol matrix. The water solubility of the composite film incorporating both ZnO-NPs and honey decreased to 41.1 %, in contrast to 63.3 % for the AP film. The mechanical properties improved, with the composite film attaining a tensile strength of 2.142 MPa and an elongation at break of 75 %, in contrast to 0.485 MPa and 56 % for the AP film. The films demonstrated antibacterial efficacy, exhibiting inhibitory zones of 30 mm against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and 26 mm against Staphylococcus aureus for the composite film, in addition to 56 % DPPH scavenging for antioxidant activity. The composites were examined for their effects on seed germination and the growth of curly lettuce and scallions. In food preservation experiments, the composite film diminished apple browning and weight loss after 7 days at 8°C, indicating its effectiveness for safe and sustainable food packaging. The fabricated film's negligible effect on plant development suggests its potential for environmentally sustainable packaging. This study finds that all these materials exhibit excellent biocompatibility and are environmentally sustainable. The study hereby presents a promising alternative to replace traditional plastic packaging for better food safety and quality with sustainability.