Development and Characterization of Cinnamon Essential Oil-Infused Corn Starch Biodegradable Films for Sustainable Active Food Packaging Applications

The widespread use of conventional petroleum-based plastics and the environmental problems associated with their persistence have driven increasing interest in biodegradable packaging materials derived from renewable resources. In the present study, cinnamon essential oil-incorporated corn starch films were developed and evaluated for potential food packaging applications. Corn starch was plasticized using glycerol and cross-linked with citric acid. Cinnamon essential oil was incorporated into the film-forming solution before casting and drying. The developed films were evaluated for moisture content, thickness, surface morphology, and functional group characteristics using SEM and ATR-FTIR analyses. The films showed low moisture content (0.40%) and a uniform thickness of 0.32 mm. FTIR analysis indicated the presence of characteristic functional groups, while SEM images revealed a continuous film surface with slight roughness. Biodegradation studies showed complete degradation of the films within 21 days under soil burial conditions and within 14 days under composting conditions. In the mushroom preservation study, the developed film reduced weight loss and helped maintain product quality during storage when compared with commercial cling film. The findings suggest that cinnamon essential oil-incorporated corn starch films have potential as biodegradable packaging materials and may serve as an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional food packaging.