Lemongrass oil-infused biodegradable film: Natural antioxidant for food packaging enhancement
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15282/cst.v5i1.12811Keywords:
Antioxidant, Food Packaging, Lemongrass oil, Biodegradable filmAbstract
The growing environmental impact of plastic packaging has accelerated interest in biodegradable alternatives such as edible films. This study investigates the incorporation of lemongrass essential oil into chitosan–alginate films to enhance their antioxidant properties. Lemongrass, widely available in Malaysia, contains bioactive compounds including citral, geraniol, and phenolics with strong radical-scavenging activity. Essential oil was extracted using hydrodistillation and microwave-assisted hydrodistillation, with the latter yielding a higher recovery (0.04%). Structural characterization using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy indicated hydrogen bonding and possible Schiff base formation between the oil and film matrix. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by the DPPH assay, showing strong radical scavenging capacity (108.06%), suggesting retention of active compounds and improved stability. The findings demonstrate that lemongrass essential oil effectively enhances the functional properties of chitosan–alginate films, providing an eco-friendly packaging solution that may reduce reliance on synthetic preservatives while extending food shelf life.
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