Sustainable Hygienic Packaging Films Upcycled from Agricultural By-Products
발표자
이다예 (단국대학교)
연구책임자
오준균 (단국대학교)
공동저자
이다예 (단국대학교), 오준균 (단국대학교)
초록
내용
Rice husk, a major agricultural by-product, is generated at approximately 60 million tons per year worldwide and more than 1 million tons per year in South Korea. In this study, rice husk-polylactic acid (PLA) composites were developed as sustainable materials to reduce environmental and economic burdens through agricultural waste utilization. Direct addition of rice husk led to poor interfacial compatibility and reduced mechanical performance. This issue was resolved, and the resulting structure created favorable pathways for controlled antimicrobial release. Cinnamon essential oil (CEO) was encapsulated in β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) to enhance thermal stability and support sustained release without negatively impacting PLA degradation. The materials formed inhibition zones larger than 1 cm within 24 h. As CEO and β-CD are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the composites offer safety advantages for practical applications. Overall, this work suggests rice husk-PLA composites as eco-friendly active packaging with sustained antimicrobial performance.