This study aims to synthesise, characterise and evaluate the performance characteristics of packaging films based on biodegradable natural resources incorporated with nanoparticles. Particularly, it is focused on the valorisation of the fibers from the underexploited Lonchocarpus cyanescens plant from West Africa as raw renewable lignocellulose biomass material source for the production of carboxymethylcellulose (CMC). To this end, biodegradable films were prepared from CMC derived from the fibers of the Lonchocarpus cyanescens plant, and collagen. In order to improve the properties of these films, in particular their mechanical and humidity resistance and their ability to fight microbes, silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs), titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs), as well as heterostructure Ag@TiO2 nanocomposite were incorporated. The different products obtained were characterised by different methods, including DLS, UV-VIS, SEM, contact angle, UTM, absorption and antimicrobial activity tests. The results show that the hybrid biocomposite films exhibit good mechanical properties, improved moisture resistance, and a significant antimicrobial effect against certain pathogenic bacteria. In particular, the synergy between Ag and TiO2 nanoparticles in the heterostructure Ag@TiO2 nanocomposite optimized the performance characteristics of the packaging films, particularly in terms of mechanical properties with a maximum stress of 38.77 MPa and a strain of 9%, low water absorption reaching 50% at 48 h, improved hydrophobic behavior with contact angle of 87°, and antimicrobial resistance compared with the control film without nanoparticles. This work highlights the valorisation of an underexploited West African local plant and contributes to the search for sustainable solutions for food packaging.
Assanvo et al. (Thu,) studied this question.