Production and characterization of CMC-based antioxidant and antimicrobial films enriched with chickpea hull polysaccharides

In the present study, polysaccharides from chickpea hull (CHPS) were incorporated into carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) for the development of CMC-based films. The physical and mechanical properties, color, transmittance, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities were investigated, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were applied to study the potential interaction, structure and thermal stabilization of the prepared films. The results revealed that some physical and mechanical properties of films, like moisture content, elongation at break and water vapor permeability, were decreased. While thickness, swelling ratio, water solubility and tensile strength were significantly increased (p < 0.05) compared with control film. Furthermore, the films exhibited potential antioxidant effects on DPPH and ABTS free radicals. The results of scanning electron microscopy showed rough and heterogeneous morphology for CMC-CHPS films while control film exhibited smooth, homogenous and compact structure. FT-IR results reflected good interaction of chemical groups and bonds between CMC and CHPS. DSC results showed that glass transition temperature increased significantly (p < 0.05) from 82.68 to 90.39 °C compared with control of 78.21 °C. Thermal stability of all films was improved, indicating that the films could be used as biocomposite materials for packaging of food products.