Fabrication and characterization of nanocomposite film made from a jackfruit filum polysaccharide incorporating TiO2 nanoparticles by photocatalysis

Jackfruit filum polysaccharide (JFPS) was extracted and confirmed to contain neutral and acidic polysaccharides, largely composed of acidic polysaccharides. Biodegradable JFPS-titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanocomposite films were fabricated using the solvent casting method combined with photocatalysis. The result of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) shows a uniform distribution of TiO2 nanoparticles into the gelatin matrix. Incorporation of TiO2 into the JFPS matrix significantly decreased the transparency, moisture content and total soluble matter. Surface hydrophobicity also decreased, the mechanical properties and thermal stability of the JFPS films improved. The JFPS/TiO2 nanocomposite films exhibited strong antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The films incorporated with 3% (w/w) TiO2 showed the best mechanical properties and thermal stability, as well as excellent antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli (78.9%) and Staphylococcus aureus (60.57%). The data of Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) indicate that photocatalysis might contribute to the formation of the strong interfacial interaction between the JFPS matrix and TiO2 nanoparticles. Finally, these results demonstrated the feasibility of introducing photocatalysis to prepare nanocomposite films, and it is of significance in utilizing the JFPS and TiO2 to produce biodegradable nanocomposite films as packaging material in food and non-food industries.