The effect of Stachys floridana Shuttlew.ex Benth extract as an additive on the chemical properties of chitosan biodegradable film, TAPPI Journal June 2025

Application: This work is conducive to the development of CS-based films and contributes to the development of new biodegradable food packaging films

Author: Qingxuan Zhao; Shun Liu; Jie Li; Haitang Liu; Sheng Liu; Qian Wang; Ying Li; and Hui Wang

ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study is to explore chitosan with Stachys floridana Shuttlew. ex Benth (SFSB) extract as an additive to prepare an active film. The effects of the SFSB extract on the physical, antioxidant, and bacteriostatic properties of chitosan biodegradable films were studied. The results showed that the addition of SFSB extract significantly improved the antioxidant and antibacterial properties of the film, and its biodegradation rate increased rapidly. Compared to the control film, the water solubility was lower at 19.40%, the expansion degree was higher at 288.90%, the water vapor permeability (WVP) was 0.364 g·mm/(m²·d·kPa), the surface hydrophobicity increased, and the mechanical strength was also improved. The contact angle increased to 89.3°. In addition, as the amount of SFSB increased, the thermal stability of chitosan-Stachys floridana Shuttlew. ex Benth (CS-SFSB) films also increased significantly, and their ultraviolet (UV) blocking ability was gradually enhanced. The results indicate that CS-SFSB has potential as a food packaging material.