Biodegradable Sodium Alginate Films Incorporated With <scp> <i>Jateorhiza palmata</i> </scp> (Lam.) Miers Extract for Active Food Packaging

ABSTRACT Biodegradable packaging helps reduce environmental impact by decomposing naturally and preventing plastic accumulation in ecosystems. This study developed sodium alginate films incorporating Jateorhiza palmata (Lam.) Miers root extract at 5%, 10% and 20% (w/w, relative to polymer mass) for active food packaging. Films were evaluated for physicochemical, mechanical, optical, thermal, barrier and antioxidant properties. Extract incorporation enhanced flexibility and thermal stability, particularly in the 20% film, which showed the highest elongation at break (23.86 ± 1.28%) and decomposition temperature (229.77°C). Water affinity decreased with extract addition (moisture: 12.09%–18.56%, swelling: 41.46%–70.00%, solubility: 30.58%–67.13%), while water vapour permeability (WVP) (0.153–0.194 g·mm/m 2 ·h·kPa) remained stable. The 20% film maintained peroxide values below 5.0 mEq·kg −1 in sunflower oil for 14 days, with values 3.6 and 11 lower than PET and unpackaged controls, respectively. Biodegradability increased with extract content, reaching 4.5% in 20% films after 20 days. These findings support the use of J. palmata enriched alginate films as sustainable alternatives to synthetic packaging and antioxidants for lipid‐rich food products.