Silver-sepiolite (Ag-Sep) hybrid reinforced active gelatin/date waste extract (DSWE) blend composite films for food packaging application.

In this study, date syrup waste extract (DSWE) (15 wt%) and different content of silver doped sepiolite hybrid (Ag-Sep, 0.25-3 wt%) were incorporated into gelatin matrix to develop a series of active composite packaging films. Incorporating 2 wt% of Ag-Sep increased the modulus of blend film by 98% compared to unmodified gelatin/DSWE blend film. The active gelatin composite film exhibited superior active compounds migration to aqueous food simulants. Besides, Ag-Sep provided a tortuous pathway to the composite film, resulting in high 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical inhibition efficiency (91%) and slow-release kinetics of active compounds to the food simulant. The Ag-Sep hybrid was improved the antimicrobial property of the gelatin/DSWE blend film against both gram-negative and gram-positive microbes. Thus, this study demonstrated that the Ag-Sep hybrid exhibits significant properties in the active gelatin composite films, implying that this hybrid could be an effective additive for various active packaging films.

Eco-Friendly Sustainable Poly(benzoxazine-co-urethane) with Room-Temperature-Assisted Self-Healing Based on Supramolecular Interactions.

This work is an attempt to develop bio-based eco-friendly poly(benzoxazine-co-urethane) [poly(U-co-CDL-aee)] materials using cardanol-based benzoxazines (CDL) and hexamethylene diisocyanate (HMDI) to check their self-healing ability and thermal properties. CDL monomers were synthesized using cardanol, amino ethoxyethanol (aee) or 3-aminopropanol (3-ap), and paraformaldehyde through the Mannich reaction. Later, CDL-aee or CDL-3-ap monomers were copolymerized with a urethane precursor (HMDI), followed by ring-opening polymerization through thermal curing. The thermal properties of poly(U-co-CDL) were evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The self-healing behavior of the bio-based poly(U-co-CDL) was checked by applying a mild external pressure. The results revealed that the developed poly(U-co-CDL) showed repeatable self-healing ability due to supramolecular hydrogen-bonding interactions. Further, the self-healing ability of poly(U-co-CDL) was studied using density functional theory (DFT). From the above results, the developed material with superior self-healing ability can be used in the form of self-healing coatings and composites for various applications with extended shelf-life and reliability.