فهرست نشریات علمی دسترسی آزاد ایران

Antioxidant-infused biodegradable packaging is emerging as a promising food preservation and sustainability solution. This study investigates the fabrication of active and biodegradable corn starch/polyvinyl alcohol films infused with Fagonia extract (SPF) as a natural antioxidant agent. The films were fabricated via a solution-casting technique. The effect of varying concentrations of Fagonia extracts (0%, 5%, 10%,15%, and 20%) on the films' mechanical, thermal, structural, functional, optical, water (contact angle), biodegradability, and antioxidant properties was thoroughly examined. Surface modifications were assessed through contact angle measurements, which showed a decline in surface hydrophobicity from 61.6° to 45.7° with increasing extract content, indicating enhanced wettability due to the hydrophilic nature of the extract’s phytochemicals. Total Phenolic Content (TPC) increased significantly with extract concentration, reaching up to 15.2 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE/g) at 20% loading, correlating with improved 2, 2-diphenyl-1-pricylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging activity.  While antioxidant capacity increased, higher extract levels caused slight reductions in Tensile Strength (TS), Elongation at Break (EAB), and contact angle, suggesting partial disruption of the polymer matrix. Moisture content, water solubility, film thickness, and light absorbance increased with extract incorporation. Fourier Transform InfraRed (FT-IR) spectroscopy revealed shifts and intensity alterations in SPF films and the formation of new peaks, suggesting a possible interaction of Fagonia extract with corn starch/polyvinyl alcohol. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) revealed surface heterogeneity and embedded extract residues, supporting physical integration. The formulated films exhibited significant biodegradability (>65%) within 6 weeks and excellent thermal stability (310°C). Among all, SPF10 demonstrated the most balanced profile between antioxidant functionality and structural integrity. Overall, SPF films demonstrate potential as sustainable, antioxidant-rich packaging materials for food preservation with minimized environmental impact.