Fabrication and characterization of an active bionanocomposite film based on basil seed mucilage and ZnO nanoparticles

In this study, active nanofilms were developed using basil seed mucilage (BSM) containing zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs), according to casting method. Different amount of ZnO-NPs at the range of 0% (control), 0.1, 0.25, and 0.5% were incorporated into BSM film, then the physical, permeability, mechanical, thermal, and antimicrobial properties, as well as color index of fabricated films were examined. The results showed that moisture content, water absorption, water solubility, water vapor permeability (WVP), melting temperature (Tm), glass transition temperature (Tg) decreased with increasing the amount of ZnO, while the melting enthalpy of films increased (P < 0.05). The addition of ZnO-NPs up to 0.25% resulted in significant increase in the ultimate tensile strength, light (L*) and white indexes. Additionally, the basil seed mucilage film did not show antibacterial performance, while added of ZnO-NPs to the film, caused an increased trend in the antibacterial activity of films. The fabricated nanofilms prevented the growth of Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella typhimurium (P < 0.05). All in all, the developed nanobiocomposite film using BSM containing 0.25% ZnO-NPs could be used as biodegradable and antibacterial film for food active packing to increase the shelf life of food.