Ionic Liquid Assisted Gelatin Films: Green, UV Shielding, Antioxidant, and Antibacterial Food Packaging Materials

Abstract

We have constructed gelatin-based ionogel films at ambient conditions. Choline salicylate, a biobased ionic liquid (IL), has been utilized to induce antioxidant and antimicrobial properties in the film. Up to 100 wt % IL loading has been achieved with respect to gelatin matrix. The constructed films have been characterized for their mechanical strength, thermal stability, optical opacity, surface roughness, and antioxidant activity. The films have shown excellent antioxidant, antimicrobial, and UV shielding properties and have exhibited exceptional mechanical strength. The prepared films were used to test their food packaging abilities using Malus pumila. The film showed excellent food packaging applicability by preventing air-oxidation of Malus pumila.