Polyvinyl Alcohol Films with Algerian Eruca vesicaria Extract as Natural Antioxidants for Food Packaging

Mohamed Habib Brahimi; Messaouda  Dekmouche; Duygu Gazioglu Ruzgar; Derradji Hadef; Pınar Terzioğlu

doi:10.51745/najfnr.9.20.287-297

Polyvinyl Alcohol Films with Algerian Eruca vesicaria Extract as Natural Antioxidants for Food Packaging

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Food Chemistry, Engineering, Processing and Packaging

DOI https://doi.org/10.51745/najfnr.9.20.287-297

Issue Vol. 9 No. 20 (2025): July - December, 2025

Submitted 2025-04-27

Accepted 2025-08-15

Published 2025-11-08

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Background: The increasing interest in active packaging films stems from their potential to reduce reliance on synthetic chemical additives for food preservation, thereby enhancing food quality and extending shelf life.

Aims: This study aimed to develop, characterize, and evaluate the functional properties of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-based solvent cast films loaded with a hydroethanolic extract derived from Eruca vesicaria (arugula), intending to produce novel active packaging materials.

Methods: Initially, the total phenolic content of the Eruca vesicaria extract was quantified, and its precise chemical profile was determined through chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The resulting flexible and active PVA films were subjected to comprehensive analysis using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to identify molecular interactions, along with assessments of water contact angle, opacity, transparency, and antioxidant activity using the DPPH and the phosphomolybdenum assay.

Results: The LC-MS/MS analysis successfully identified eight distinct phenolic compounds within the hydroethanolic extract. FTIR spectroscopy confirmed effective molecular interactions between the incorporated extract and the PVA polymer matrix. Furthermore, the inclusion of the extract significantly altered the surface wettability (water contact angle) of the films. Critically, the films demonstrated substantially improved functional properties. The antioxidant activity assessment demonstrated that films incorporated with the Eruca vesicaria extract exhibited significantly higher antioxidant activity (IC₅₀ = 0.75 ± 0.01, EC₅₀ = 1.8 ± 0. 1 mg/mL), compared to pure PVA films (IC₅₀ = 1.53 ± 0.03 mg/mL, EC₅₀ = 10.69 ± 0.5mg/mL).

Conclusions: The findings demonstrate that integrating Eruca vesicaria antioxidants into PVA films is a viable and highly effective strategy for producing active packaging materials with enhanced functional and barrier properties.

Keywords

Arugula Active Packaging Bioactive Additive Eruca vesicaria Polyvinyl Alcohol Films

Mohamed Habib Brahimi

Laboratory of Valorization and Promotion of Saharan Resources, Faculty of Mathematics and Material Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Kasdi Merbah University, 30000 Ouargla
Messaouda Dekmouche

Laboratory of Valorization and Promotion of Saharan Resources, Faculty of Mathematics and Material Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Kasdi Merbah University, 30000 Ouargla
Duygu Gazioglu Ruzgar

Department of Polymer Materials Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Bursa Technical University, Bursa, 16130
Derradji Hadef

Laboratory of Valorization and Promotion of Saharan Resources, Faculty of Mathematics and Material Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Kasdi Merbah University, 30000 Ouargla
Pınar Terzioğlu

Department of Polymer Materials Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Bursa Technical University, Bursa, 16130

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Polyvinyl Alcohol Films with Algerian Eruca vesicaria Extract as Natural Antioxidants for Food Packaging. (2025). The North African Journal of Food and Nutrition Research, 9(20), 287-297. https://doi.org/10.51745/najfnr.9.20.287-297

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