Preparation and characterization of chitosan/halloysite nanotubes composite film with ethylene scavenging and gas resistance for active food packaging

In this study, the halloysite nanotubes (HNT) were incorporated into chitosan (CS) to prepare CS/HNT composite film by solution-casting method. Different HNT contents were studied in relation to the morphological, optical, mechanical, barrier and thermal properties of CS/HNT composite films. After incorporation of HNT, the CS/HNT composite films showed improvement in UV light shielding, barrier against water vapor and oxygen, mechanical strength and thermal stability as well as achievement of ethylene scavenging property. Especially, when 5 wt% HNT were added, more homogenous distribution of HNT in CS matrix was observed by SEM, resulting in 169.9% increase in tensile strength, 52.94% decline in oxygen permeability and 4.07 times enhancement in the ethylene scavenging capacity at 100 kPa pressure compared with pure CS film. Moreover, the obtained film with 5 wt% HNT effectively maintained the freshness of bananas and cherry tomatoes under ambient conditions. This study demonstrated that the CS/HNT composite films could be used as active food packaging material to extend the shelf-life of fresh fruits and vegetables.