Valorization of Aronia melanocarpa pomace: construction of antioxidant starch-based composite films, preservation performance, and life cycle assessment

Aronia melanocarpa pomace is a polyphenol-rich processing by-product, yet its high-value conversion into functional food-packaging materials remains insufficiently explored. In this study, an ultrasound-assisted aqueous pomace extract was incorporated into a cassava starch/cellulose nanofibril/nano-SiO₂ matrix to construct an antioxidant composite film. LC-MS analysis showed that flavonoids accounted for 51.3% of the extract. Molecular docking, fluorescence spectroscopy, FTIR, and XRD confirmed non-covalent interactions between pomace-derived polyphenols and the film matrix. The resulting SCSA film exhibited strong antioxidant activity, good UV stability, medium-dependent release behavior, low water vapor permeability, and high tensile strength. Application tests showed that it delayed water loss, browning, lipid peroxidation in “Shine Muscat” grapes, and acidification and flavor deterioration in pasteurized milk. Life cycle assessment indicated lower environmental impacts than conventional petrochemical packaging. This study provides a feasible strategy for converting Aronia melanocarpa pomace into sustainable antioxidant packaging materials for food preservation.