Novel functional chitosan and pectin bio-based packaging films with encapsulated Opuntia-ficus indica waste

Abstract The aim of this work was to study the effect of adding red prickly pear, as wasted source of antioxidants on various characteristics of novel functional (antioxidant) chitosan and pectin film formulations. Four types of prickly pear material were used: fruit pulp or peel, as powdered extracts and as aqueous extracts. Prickly pear peel extract was shown to possess higher antioxidant properties than fruit pulp. The antioxidant power of extracts was pretty high, around 1000 mgAAE∙100 g-1 for extract and that of all films around 100 mgAAE∙100 g-1 for films. Even though some changes in thickness, moisture content, water solubility, oxygen permeability and water vapor permeability of films occurred after the addition of aqueous extracts, the most significant were observed in samples produced with powdered extracts, which led to the significant mechanical failures. Chitosan films had yellow orange taints, while pectin films had rose violet taints. FTIR analysis did not reveal important structural changes. Good antioxidant capacity with unchanged physico-chemical properties, when compared to clean chitosan or pectin, suggested about the possibility of use of novel bio-based prickly pear agricultural waste formulations for potential food packaging applications.