Development and Characterization of Chitosan Films Incorporating Hylocereus polyrhizus Peel Extract for Enhanced Biodegradability and Postharvest Fruit Preservation

ABSTRACT Chitosan (CS) incorporating Hylocereus polyrhizus peel extract (HPE) films were prepared by solution casting and evaluated for their physicochemical, bioactive, and preservative properties. FTIR and SEM analyses confirmed intermolecular interactions between CS and HPE, leading to structural modifications and enhanced functionality. Incorporation of HPE reduced wettability, solubility, and swelling, while slightly increasing water vapor permeability. Mechanical strength decreased at higher extract concentrations, though overall film integrity was maintained. Antioxidant activity, as determined by the DPPH assay, increased significantly as extract content increased, with the film containing 2 mL HPE (CS–2HPE) exhibiting the highest radical scavenging capacity. Soil burial tests revealed rapid biodegradation (> 95% within 5 weeks), confirming the films' environmental sustainability. Furthermore, CS–2HPE film significantly extended the shelf life of grapes and avocados by reducing browning, microbial spoilage, and weight loss relative to uncoated samples and CS films. These results demonstrate that CS–HPE films are promising biodegradable active packaging materials for fruit preservation.