In this study, hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) was utilized as the raw material, with the addition of beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD), citric acid (CA) as the crosslinking agent, and sodium hypophosphite (SHP) as the catalyst to produce hydroxypropyl cellulose/beta-CD composite films. The inclusion of beta-CD resulted in an increase in the tensile strength of the film, with the maximum value of 13.5 MPa for the 1 % beta-CD composite membrane. Additionally, after degradation in soil for 28 days, the degradation ability was significantly enhanced, with the 1.0 % beta-CD composite film exhibiting the highest degradation rate of 27.21 %. Furthermore, the water permeability of the composite membrane was improved with the addition of beta-CD. Specifically, when the beta-CD content was 1.0 %, the water vapor transmission reached its lowest point at 2,445 g* ( m 2 * 24 d ) - 1 ${({m}{2}\ast 24d)}{-1}$ . The findings demonstrated that the 1 % beta-cyclodextrin/hydroxypropyl cellulose composite film effectively preserved the freshness of strawberries, reducing the weight loss rate by 1.65 % compared to the control group. In conclusion, this research highlights the potential for preparing composite membranes using HPC and beta-CD crosslinking, thereby expanding the application of hydroxypropyl cellulose and beta-CD in food preservation.
The proliferation of single-use plastics has led to widespread pollution and ecological harm, prompting a concerted effort to develop sustainable alternatives. Among them, biocomposite plastic films have emerged as a promising solution for food packing applications. Herein, the preparation of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) biocomposite films incorporating Clitoria ternatea (CT) flower extracts is reported. The obtained films are subjected to various analytical techniques. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis reveals the intense peak of hydrogen bonding at 3321 cm(-1) in the composite film. CT-PVA films possess less opacity and UV light-blocking capabilities. The PVA-CT films are examined for water absorption, UV barrier, soil degradability, and water-soluble properties, greater propensity to dissolve in water during the water absorption test is noticed. Enzymatic oxidation followed by hydrolysis of functional groups enhances the soil degradation rate in biocomposite films. Further, the colorimetric study of CT-PVA solution at different pH shows colored CT-PVA films. From the results and observations, the CT-PVA biocomposite film (8 mL) proves to be a promising candidate for utilization in the food industry as a packaging material.