A multifunctional single-layer film based on holocellulose extracted from corn stalks: Preparation, characterization, and application in food preservation.

Abstract

The growing environmental concerns on petroleum-based packaging materials have prompted substantial research into biodegradable alternatives. Here, we developed functional composite films through integrating holocellulose extracted from corn stalks in 65% LiBr aqueous solution with sodium alginate (SA), ε-polylysine (ε-PL), and phycocyanin (PC). The HSL8C film with 2% holocellolose, 15%SA, 0.8% ε-PL, and 1.5% PC exhibited a 57.4% DPPH radical scavenging activity, indicating superior antioxidant capacity. Moreover, these holocellulose-based films containing ε-PL and PC all demonstrated good mechanical properties, hydrophobicity, and gas barrier performances. Furthermore, the embedded PC enabled the film with excellent performances in strawberry preservation and visual monitoring of shrimp freshness. In this study, holecellulose from corn stalks were successfully used to prepare multifunctional prevention films, which provides a new approach for waste biomass in food packaging.