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Introduction
Biopolymers based films offer several advantages as compared to conventional plastics such as lower cost, enhanced durability, biodegradability, non-abrasiveness, favorable mechanical properties, environmental friendly, and prolonged usage time. On the contrary, commercial plastic packaging films are non-biodegradable so the use is limited (Zakaria et al., 2024). Such active biopolymer based films have been proved as a renowned way to improve packaging quality by providing protection from ultra violet rays, microbial contamination or water. Many edible plant extracts are non-toxic and contain antioxidant and antimicrobial properties that's why plant extracts are regarded as suitable additive for incorporation in food packaging films. Plant extracts contain secondary plant metabolites such as phenols and flavonoids that impart antimicrobial and antioxidant properties in a packaging film (Manzoor et al., 2023).
Pithecellobium dulce (PD), (commonly known as Jungle Jalebi or black bead tree), is an important medicinal plant, belonging to the family Fabaceae and is found in tropic areas like Asia, India and America. This plant has been reported to have anti-diabetic, anti-hyperlipidemic, antioxidant, anti-ulcer, nephron-protective, anti-diarrheal, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. Pithecellobium dulce contain various flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, coumarine, tannins, anthocyanin and triterpenoids (Mondal et al., 2024; Murugesan et al., 2019). Moreover, Cassia alata (CA; commonly known as candle brush, Senna alata) is another plant found in Indonesia, South Asia, France, India. Several studies have reported that Cassia alata plant leaves have strong anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-fungal properties.
Secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, saponins, steroids, flavonoids, and terpenoids have been found in Cassia alata (Colin et al., 2024). These important plants can be incorporated in biopolymer based films as additives due to above mentioned significant properties.
In smart bio-based packaging, plant extracts are added to biopolymer based composites to enhance physical and chemical strength of film and to add some biological properties. Potato starch is an applicable biopolymer, known for low gelatinization temperature, non-toxicity, good gel stability and low cost film preparation (Li et al., 2024). It is composed of amylose and amylopectin (joined by α-1, 4-glycosidic bonds) and amylopectin contributes to its gelling property and freeze-thaw stability (Park et al., 2024). In a recent study potato starch-based films were prepared with reinforcing effect of banana fibers for grapes packaging (Dutta and Sit, 2024). Chitosan is another positively charged polysaccharide...