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Subject: Processing and Food Engineering × Author: Nitin Kumar × Start date: 2017 × Type: Thesis × Thesis Type: Ph.D ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Development of pectin-based bio nanocomposite films for food packaging
    (Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2018) Nitin Kumar; Preetinder Kaur
    The present study was carried out to extract pectin from kinnow fruit peels and to assess its potential application in fabrication of pectin-based bio nanocomposite films. Pectin was extracted with nitric and citric acid and the effect of extraction time (30 to 60 min), temperature (60 to 80°C) and pH (1.5 to 2.5) was investigated on various physico-chemical properties of extracted pectin. The values of pectin yield, degree of esterification, intrinsic viscosity and molecular weight were higher in citric acid extraction of pectin as compared to nitric acid extraction. The extracted pectin and magnesium hydroxide nanoparticles were mixed with glycerol to develop bio nanocomposite films. The effect of pH (7 to 10) of the mix and sonication levels (20 to 100%) was significant on various film properties. At optimised levels of pH (9.80) and sonication (98.45%), the corresponding values of thickness, area, moisture absorption, tensile strength, elongation at break, water vapour transmission rate and gas transmission rate were 0.028 mm, 444.95 cm2, 5.51%, 4.44 MPa, 42.95%, 65.11 g m-2day-1 and 19.72 cm3 mm m-2day-1atm-1 respectively. The developed bio nanocomposite films had melting point of 7.38°C and glass transition temperature (-17.4°C). The film completely degraded in soil (25% M.C) 110 days and exhibited antimicrobial properties (inhibition zone = 7.89 mm) against E coli. The developed films were then compared with commonly used polymers (low density polyethylene and polypropylene) by packaging fresh cherry tomatoes (CV ) and storing under ambient (30°C, 61% RH) and low temperature storage conditions (10°C, 90% RH). The type of packaging material and storage conditions affected the physico-chemical parameters of the packaged produce viz. PLW, firmness, lycopene content, TSS and titratable acidity. The total cost of pectin-based bio nanocomposite films was estimated as Rs. 1075 per kg.