Enhancement of polylactic acid-based electrospun films via sugarcane bagasse nanocellulose and paeonol for sustainable preservation of red grapes

Petroleum-based plastics dominate the fruit packaging market, but the microplastics migration poses ecological and health risks. This study developed an active packaging by electrospun polylactic acid (PLA) with sugarcane bagasse-derived nanocellulose (NC) and natural antimicrobial agent paeonol (Pae), providing a sustainable solution for extending shelf life. The films were optimized and characterized by SEM, FTIR, WCA, TGA, DSC, and mechanical properties. The results showed that NC significantly improved the mechanical properties of films (The tensile strength was 2.77 ± 0.49 MPa, and the elongation at break was 171.81 ± 5.29 %). Pae exhibited release properties and showed antimicrobial effect against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus with MICs of 300 μg/mL and 500 μg/mL, also inhibited Penicillium spp., isolated from rotten red grapes. PLA/NC/Pae film effectively slowed decay and extended the shelf life of red grapes by 2–3 days. This work provided a green strategy for converting agricultural waste into high-performance food packaging.