Work

Biocompatibility and antimicrobial properties of banana peel waste extract-loaded gelatin/ polyethylene glycol films for food packaging applications

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: The aim of this research is to develop and characterize gelatin/polyethylene glycol (GEL/PEG) films incorporating banana peel waste extract (BPWE) for sustainable food packaging (FP) technologies. BPWE was extracted using ultrasound-assisted ethanol extraction and incorporated at two concentrations (3 and 6 mL) into GEL/PEG film. The SEM showed that incorporating the waste extract increased surface roughness and porosity. The water contact angle decreased from 89.7° (unloaded) to 63.2° (BPWE-6), indicating increased hydrophilicity, while the water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) increased from 6.15 to 7.62 g/m 2 /day. The ultimate tensile strength decreased slightly from 0.91 MPa to 0.73 MPa in BPWE-6 Gel. Antibacterial activities showed that BPWE-6@GEL/PEG films (18.4–22.8 mm) had strong inhibition zones against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, Enterococcus faecium, and Listeria monocytogenes , and that BPWE-3@GEL/PEG films (10.7–15.4 mm) also showed inhibition zones, though less than those of BPWE-6@GEL/PEG. Time-kill kinetics indicated that BPWE-6@GEL/PEG could completely inactivate the microorganisms within 120 min. The large protein amount was released from P. aeruginosa, confirming membrane disruption and serving as the bactericidal mechanism. Additionally, the films demonstrated excellent antibiofilm performance, reaching 100% inhibition after 5 days. Antioxidant activity was markedly enhanced, with scavenging efficiencies of 76.1% (DPPH), 84.7% (ABTS), and 64.8% (H 2 O 2 ). Overall, the results reveal that BPWE-6@GEL/PEG films combine effective antimicrobial, antibiofilm, and antioxidant functionalities with acceptable physical properties, making them a promising and biocompatible candidate for active food packaging aimed at extending shelf life and preventing microbial contamination.

Source: Polymer

DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2026.130128

Authors: Mai M. Khalaf, Hany M. Abd El-Lateef, Mahmoud A. Abdelaziz, Manal F. Abou Taleb, Mohamed Gouda

Institutions: King Faisal University, University of Tabuk, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University

Language: English

Topic: Nanocomposite Films for Food Packaging

Subfield: Biomaterials

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Responsible consumption and production, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,980