N. Preetha and Priya R Iyer*

PG & Research Department of Biotechnology, Women’s Christian College, An Antonomous Institution, Affiliated to the University of Madras, Chennai, Chennai-600006 (India)

ABSTRACT

The aim of this work was to produce carrageenan films which can be used as a beneficial packaging material. In order to produce a substance like carrageenan was extracted from red seaweed and green seaweed (Kappaphycus alvarezii) by the method of Sulfated polysaccharide and the acquired carrageenan was made into films with additives like gelatin, lemon oil. Plasticizer like glycerol was also added to obtain elongation, transparent and flexibility of the films and coating was performed on fruits to prevent them from quick shrinkage and damage. The film was checked for its thickness, solubility, transparency. The physical, chemical parameters were evaluated by performing the characterization studies like FTIR, SEM and tensile strength and elongation at break. The antioxidant, anticoagulant properties, antimicrobial and cytotoxicity were tested to analyze and evaluate the quality of the films and organoleptic test were performed to analyze the shelf-life of the films. The FTIR results proved that the film has functional groups of sulfate and other added components. And other results proved that the film was completely safe to be used as a food packaging material. Biopolymer based carrageenan films can be effectively used as food packaging material for fruits and vegetables, which is organic, nontoxic, biodegradable and eco-friendly in nature.

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