ORCID

Abstract

Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) and polylactic acid (PLA)-based nanocomposite films were developed as active packaging materials for stored rice. The composition and synergistic effect of the active formulations (AF-1 and AF-2), cellulose nanocrystals (CNC), and glycerol (Gly) as independent variables were tested to reach the optimal antimicrobial nanocomposite films using response surface methodology (RSM) employing a central composite design (CCD). The inhibitory capacity (IC, %) of the developed films as a dependent variable against two bacterial and three fungal strains was measured using the agar volatilization assay. The ANOVA results showed a perfect fit of the regression models for the response, with significant P values (P ≤ 0.05) and high coefficient of determination (R2) values. Incorporating the CNC, Gly, and AFs significantly improved the PBAT films’ elasticity, water barrier properties, and oxygen transmission rate (OTR) compared to the control films; however, the water and oxygen barrier properties of PLA films were compromised. The release data of AFs from the films was fitted with the Korsmeyer–Peppas model, indicating a Fickian or quasi-Fickian diffusion mechanism (n < 0.45). For the in situ study, the optimized bioactive PBAT-based films with 750 Gy of γ-irradiation synergistically reduced the bacterial and fungal load by 73–93% in stored rice after 2 months compared to the control treatments. The data confirms the potential applicability of the optimized films as promising candidates for active packaging for cereal grains and their ability to compete with traditionally used inert non-biodegradable plastic films.

Keywords

active film, essential oils, film optimization, irradiation, rice

Publication Date

2025-01-01

Publication Title

Journal of Food Science

Volume

90

Issue

12

ISSN

0022-1147

Deposit Date

2026-10-29

Funding

The authors are grateful for the financial support provided by the Ministère de l'Économie et de l'Innovation (MEI) du Québec (PSR SIIRI 985); the Ministère de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation du Québec (MAPAQ) for the Chair on Antimicrobial Compounds (PPIA‐12); the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), Discovery Program (RGPIN‐2017‐05947), and to the Armand‐Frappier Foundation (Lucie B. Mainguy’s donation) for the characterization of EOs. The authors also acknowledge support from Kerry Group, Biosecur Lab Inc., and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service (USDA ARS), U.S. Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center.

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