This invention relates to a composition of food packaging material with use of only agricultural waste and methods thereof.
Background of the Invention
PVA/PLA/Polypropylene or any other soft polymer along with synthetic plasticizer t like glycol or glycerol etc. with antioxidant and antimicrobial agent like zinc compound or silver or titanium or tochopherol based material, out of which most of the materials used are synthetic chemicals which are having some disadvantage of toxicity and cannot be used for longer time.
WO2009024846A1 discloses a flexible or rigid antioxidant active packaging material preferably intended for food or products susceptible to any type of oxidation, consisting of a system that promotes the migration of the active compound toward the packaged product during the storage or marketing thereof, instead of the addition of direct antioxidants, thereby extending the shelf life thereof. The material is formed by =89% base polymer, 2-10 wt.-% of an antioxidant tocopherol and 0.1-1 wt.-% of any surface modifier that has been FDA approved for use as a food-grade additive.
Research Gap: In this patent, synthetic antioxidant- being used but in our invention natural materials have been used like fruit peels (lemon, orange peels) or corncob (agri-waste) , eucalyptus essence, aloe Vera gel.
South Korea R100769262B1 discloses Biodegradable bioplastic compositions and methods of making and using the same discloses Bioplastic compositions containing between 2 wt.% and 25 wt.% of at least one starch, between 40 wt.% and 65 wt.% of at least one plasticizer, and between 1 wt.% to 10 wt.% of at least one acid are used as insulation materials. A method of making a bioplastic composition includes the steps of heating a first aqueous mixture containing at least one plasticizer and at least one acid; adding at least one starch to the first aqueous mixture to produce a second aqueous mixture; heating and mixing the second aqueous mixture to produce a precipitate; and separating the precipitate from residual liquid of the second aqueous mixture to produce a bioplastic composition.
Research Gap: They have used starch with synthetic plasticizer and synthetic acid used but, in our work, all-natural plant-based material. Vinegar used in also byproduct of sugar can process.
PH02171171 "Packaging material for food" wherein the packaging material contains a natural antioxidant (for example, tocopherols) in a ethylene polymeric material (for example, PE, PVC or polybutadiene) or applied to the surface of the ethylene polymer, capable of preventing the oxidation.
Research Gap: They used synthetic polymer PE, PVC etc which in itself are toxic but we have not used any toxic material and all natural
KR 20100047494 "Film composition of polyvinyl alcohol resin enhanced tensile strength” whose objective is to obtain a polyvinyl alcohol resin film to control the thickness and transparency of the film, adding an antimicrobial agent and an extract of natural herbs without loss of strength of the movie. This film is composed of polyvinyl alcohol resin containing between 5 and 50 parts of polyvinyl alcohol resin in bulk, between 5 and 30 parts of plasticizer (glycerin, ethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol and tnetylene glycol) in bulk, between 1 and 20 parts of glyoxal by mass, and between 1 and 8 parts of phosphoric acid by mass. The plasticizer is selected from the group consisting of glycerin, ethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol and tnetylene glycol.
Research Gap: They used synthetic polymer PVA and other, but we have taken all-natural plant material or waste material, we have utilized waste material
None of the prior art indicate above either alone or in combination with one another disclose what the present invention has disclosed. This invention discloses about use of natural agriculture waste material, fruit peel waste materials which are abundant in nature and waste material. Aloe vera gel and eucalyptus extract or essential oil is natural plant material which is again biodegradable and nontoxic. Compounds like Eucalyptol or limonene are providing natural antimicrobial property to the bioplastic film while citrus fruit waste providing antioxidant property.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts, in a simplified format, that are further described in the detailed description of the invention.
This summary is neither intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the invention and nor is it intended for determining the scope of the invention.
To further clarify advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The illustrated embodiments of the subject matter will be understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. The following description is intended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain selected embodiments of devices, systems, and methods that are consistent with the subject matter as claimed herein, wherein:
Eucalyptus oil or clove oil or cinnamon oil in the composite film demonstrates significant antibacterial activity, which is shown in figure-1.
The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for the purposes of illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the disclosure is described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments are described herein in such details as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of details provided herein is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
It is also to be understood that various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as specific examples, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a",” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes” and/or “including,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.
It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may, in fact, be executed concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.
In addition, the descriptions of "first", "second", “third”, and the like in the present invention are used for the purpose of description only, and are not to be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, features defining "first" and "second" may include at least one of the features, either explicitly or implicitly.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
These and other advantages of the present subject matter would be described in greater detail with reference to the following figures. It should be noted that the description merely illustrates the principles of the present subject matter. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements that, although not explicitly described herein, embody the principles of the present subject matter and are included within its scope.
In this invention, agriculture waste or plant waste material like corn cob, coconut husk, fruit peel waste like organe or lemon, aloe vera gel have been used along with eucalyptus extract (essential oil) in development of new bioplastic which is having natural antioxidant nature, antimicrobial propery and also nontoxic with its biodegradability. This is new developed bioplastic material which has been developed by using all natural materials specially waste materials like corncob or coconut husk (waste of coconut), which is agri waste, orange or lemon peels which are fruit peel waste .Aloevera gel and eucalyptus extract are also natural plant material, which are abundantly available.

First 100 g agri-waste like corn cob, coconut husk were air dried with about 20-40% moisture, grinded and dipped completely in natural vinegar 100 to 300% ( w/v g/ml) ( by product of sugar cane process) for 24 to 48 hrs and then taken out mixed with dried fruit waste specially citrus fruit peels like lemon/orange/chakotra in high temperature reactor/z blade mixer at 140 to 180°C for 2-4 hrs. Pulpy material was filtered and washed with minimum quantity of water and then aloe Vera gel ( 5-20 % w/w) added in a container and stirred vigorously for 1 -2 hrs and then extract of eucalyptus ( 2-5 ml) mixed and finally films were casted for making bioplastic film. Such developed films have shown better mechanical strength properties along with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Since it is developed by all natural plant materials so as such it is non-toxic also. Such type of developed films can be used for packaging of food or agricultural product.
EXPERIMENTAL
Step-1: Preparation of agri-waste material and conditioning
First 100 g agriculture –wastle material like corn cob along with coconut husk ( in different proportions 3:1 or 2;1 ) are taken , these are air dired with about 20 to 40% moisture
Then , grinding is done and dipped completely in natural vinegar 100 to 300% ( w/v g/ml) ( by product of sugar cane process) for 24 to 48 hrs
Step-2 Preparation of fruit peel waste material.
Fruit peel wastes mainly citrus rich fruits like lemon / organe/pomelo or any other are collected and dried about 40-50 % crushed and drtied.
Step-3 Preparation of pulpy material in reactor
All dipped quantity of agriwaste is taken in hydro-pulper/ reactor or zblade reactor in which crushed dried fruit peel waste is mixed and kept at high temperature 160-180°C for 2 to 4 hrs so that soft pulp is formed.
Step-4 Washing and film preparation
Pulp taken from reactor is washed with normal water and then aloevera gel ( 5 to 20% w/w) is mixed to deveop adhesive nature with some heating and stirring. Then extract /essencial oil of eucalyptus ( 2 -5 ml /100 g) is added and then again stirred and mixed .Then film is casted in petridish with different thickness with help of spatula and glass rod.As soon as puly material is spread in petridish, sometimes small quantity of aloe vera is also spread and after casting film, at the surface spray of diluted essence of Eucalyptus is done.in place of eucalypus oil, clove oil or cinnamol oil also can be used for having same antimicrobial effect.
Petridhish with films were kept in oven at 50-60°C till film formation. After picking fim, mechanical /strength properties along with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties are determined. Material tested from CPPRI- Saharanpur for mechanical properties.

Characterisation of composite materials-
Dried films of bioplastic films are removed and tested for strength properties, 3 best films are given here for comparison-
Mechanical Properties-
Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Properties-
Antimicrobial or antibacterial activity is very important in any food packaging material to keep hygiene in the packed food in the container. Active packaging inhibits the growth of microbes or bacteria or fungi on the surface of the food due to direct contact of the packaging material. The antimicrobial efficiency of any material or essential oil added or sprayed in composite film was determined against E. coli (Gram negative bacteria) and S. aureus (Gram positive bacteria). Addition of eucalyptus oil or clove oil or cinnamon oil in the composite film demonstrates significant antibacterial activity, which is shown in figure-1.
It is observed that, as developed composite film shows antibacterial activity for 24 h with 5% concentration of oil. Though about 2 wt% variation of oil affects antimicrobial activity for the first 4 -6 h against E. coli whereas, 5 wt% of eucalyptus oil composite film shows antibacterial activity for 8-10 h against S. aureus and 10-12 h against E. coli. Overall it shows antimicrobial effect for about 12 hrs with 5% addition of eucalyptus oil.
A biofilm study was also done against E-coli for 72 h, and for 72 hrs , 10% concentration was found to be about 80% effective inhibition while at 5% oil concentration , inhibition was abaout 65% while for food packaging material already available in market inhibition was just not more than 40% in 72 hrs.
Antioxidant Property of any oil or material is to neutralize the free radicals generated in biological system. It was determined in terms of ascorbic acid content or free radical quenching property or by means of Vitamin E content. Ascorbic content was maximum shown by packing film with 5% eucalyptus oil which was more than double as that shown by food packaging material available in market.
Best Method of working:
Disclosed herein a composition of Food packaging material with use of only agricultural waste like corn cob or coconut husk or any other along with fruit peel waste in the ratio of 1:4 to 1:1 or 4;1 to 1:1 (specially use of citrus fruit peel waste like orange/lemon or pomela or any other); Wherein adding of vinegar (100 to 300% w/w) for wetting of waste material and making pulp in reactor; and Reactor temperature from 140 to 180°C with heating from 2to 4 hrs; addition of aloe-vera (natural plant material or any other natural plant adhesive or natural rubber) from 5 to 20% (w/w); Wherein addition of Eucalyptus oil (1 to 10 %) or any plant based essential oil having antimicrobial property.
Another embodiment, first 100gm agri-waste like corn cob, coconut husk were air dried with about 20-40% moisture, grinded and dipped completely in natural vinegar 100 to 300% (w/v g/ml) (by product of sugar cane process) for 24 to 48 hrs and then taken out mixed with dried fruit waste specially citrus fruit peels like lemon/orange/chakotra in high temperature reactor/z blade mixer at 140 to 180°C for 2-4 hrs.
In another embodiment, Pulpy material is filtered and washed with minimum quantity of water and then aloevera gel (5-20 % w/w) added in a container and stirred vigorously for 1 -2 hrs and then extract of eucalyptus (2-5 ml) mixed and finally films were casted for making bioplastic film.
In another embodiment, developed films have shown better mechanical strength properties along with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties; wherein it is developed by all-natural plant materials so as such it is non-toxic also; so as to obtained such type of developed films is used for packaging of food or agricultural product.

We Claims:

1. A composition of Food packaging material with use of only agricultural waste like corn cob or coconut husk or any other along with fruit peel waste in the ratio of 1:4 to 1:1 or 4;1 to 1:1;
Wherein adding of vinegar (100 to 300% w/w) for wetting of waste material and making pulp in reactor; and Reactor temperature from 140 to 180°C with heating from 2to 4 hrs; addition of aloe-vera (natural plant material or any other natural plant adhesive or natural rubber) from 5 to 20% (w/w);
Wherein addition of Eucalyptus oil (1 to 10 %) or any plant based essential oil having antimicrobial property.
2. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein first 100gm agri-waste like corn cob, coconut husk were air dried with about 20-40% moisture, grinded and dipped completely in natural vinegar 100 to 300% ( w/v g/ml) ( by product of sugar cane process) for 24 to 48 hrs and then taken out mixed with dried fruit waste specially citrus fruit peels like lemon/orange/chakotra in high temperature reactor/z blade mixer at 140 to 180°C for 2-4 hrs.
3. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein Pulpy material is filtered and washed with minimum quantity of water and then aloevera gel (5-20 % w/w) added in a container and stirred vigorously for 1 -2 hrs and then extract of eucalyptus (2-5 ml) mixed and finally films were casted for making bioplastic film.
4. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein developed films have shown better mechanical strength properties along with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties; wherein it is developed by all-natural plant materials so as such it is non-toxic also; so as to obtained such type of developed films is used for packaging of food or agricultural product.