UV-BLOCKING FILM PRODUCTION USING CARBOXYMETHYL CELLULOSE REINFORCED WITH TOMATO PEEL EXTRACT: STRUCTURAL AND FUNCTIONAL PROPERTIES

Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) is a natural alternative to petroleum-derived plastics. However, CMC films display low UV barrier and antioxidant properties. This study aimed to improve the UV barrier and antioxidant properties of CMC films using different levels (0.25%, 0.5%, and 1% w/v) of tomato peel extract (TPE). The influences of TPE on CMC films were investigated in terms of morphological, molecular, mechanical, optical, and bioactive properties. The elongation at break (18.08 to 26.47 %) and thickness (47.18 to 61.45 μm) of the films increased, whereas the tensile strength (33.90 to 10.05 MPa) and young modulus (73.44 to 3.46 MPa) of the films decreased with escalating concentration of TPE. The highest antioxidant capacity (15.32 mg TE/g for DPPH and 50.11 mg TE/g for CUPRAC) was measured with 1% TPE. This study provides a perspective on the use of TPE in the production of UV-protective and antioxidant films for food packaging.