Preparation and characterization of cellulose acetate/corn silk extract films for potential antimicrobial application

Corn silk, a significant by-product obtained after corn processing, is dumped as agricultural waste. Combining natural compounds with biodegradable materials has recently increased demand due to their multiple uses. In this study, cellulose acetate films incorporated with 1.25, 2.5, and 5% of the polar extracts, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol of corn silk were prepared. The extracts' total flavonoid, phenolic, and alkaloid contents were quantitatively estimated. The extracts incorporated films have been characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The films incorporated with the highest concentration of active compounds were evaluated by scanning electron microscope (SEM), thermal analysis (TGA), and antimicrobial activity using agar well diffusion and shake flask methods. The FTIR and morphology results of the films incorporated with 5% ethyl acetate and n-butanol extracts showed homogenization of the biopolymer with the active functional groups. The films effectively suspended the growth of Micrococcus leutus, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and the pathogenic yeast Candida albicans through the dynamic shake flask application. Consequently, the processed biopolymer films showed valid potential as green bioactive alternatives for various applications.