Development of active bioplastic films from sodium alginate/polyvinyl alcohol-polyethylene glycol copolymer incorporating syringic acid for postharvest mushroom preservation.

The development of biodegradable active bioplastic films has gained tremendous attention as a sustainable alternative to plastic based packaging. In this study, active bioplastic films were developed using sodium alginate (SA) and polyvinyl alcohol-polyethylene glycol (PVA-PEG) copolymer, incorporating syringic acid (SG) for mushroom preservation. The films were prepared via solvent casting, and the addition of SG (0.25% w/v) significantly (p < 0.05) improved tensile strength and surface hydrophobicity. The scanning electron microscopy and 3D profilometry of the finalized film revealed uniform surfaces, suggesting improved flexibility. The film exhibited excellent barrier properties because of intermolecular interactions. Further, the SG incorporated film demonstrated improved antioxidant and antibacterial activity with reduced weight loss and browning of postharvested mushrooms. In vitro biocompatibility studies confirmed the films' safety, whereas soil burial studies demonstrated their visual disappearance within 14 days, highlighting the potential of SA/PVA-PEG/SG films as a sustainable alternative to traditional packaging materials.