Structure-property correlations and environmental impact assessment of sustainable antibacterial food packaging films reinforced with fungal chitin nanofibrils
Hossein Baniasadi, Ziba Fathi, Cristina D. Cruz, Roozbeh Abidnejad, Päivi Tammela, Jukka Niskanen, Erlantz Lizundia
Abstract
This study develops sustainable, antibacterial food packaging films using carboxymethylcellulose and fungi-derived chitin nanofibrils (ChNFs) reinforced with clay to enhance mechanical strength, moisture resistance, and gas barrier properties. ChNFs significantly improve tensile strength and permeability by forming a dense, hydrogen-bonded network within the carboxymethylcellulose matrix. However, excessive ChNF content led to agglomeration, reducing mechanical performance slightly. At 30% ChNFs content, films demonstrated antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli , Staphylococcus aureus , and Listeria monocytogenes and also presented a 52.1 ± 3.2% degradation rate in four weeks. Life cycle assessment revealed a reduced carbon footprint (5.0–5.3 kg CO₂-equiv. per kg film) and low plastic litter generation (35–44 g/kg), underscoring environmental benefits compared to conventional packaging. These carboxymethylcellulose/ChNF-based films are a promising, eco-friendly alternative for food packaging applications, offering antibacterial properties and enhanced sustainability in the packaging of perishable food products. • Sustainable packaging films with fungal-derived chitin nanofibrils (ChNFs) developed. • ChNFs improve strength, moisture resistance, and gas barrier properties. • ChNFs have antibacterial activity against E. coli , S. aureus , and L. monocytogenes . • Life cycle assessment reveals a lower carbon footprint than conventional materials. • Films degrade by 52.1% during 4 weeks in soil burial, supporting biodegradability.