Developing multifunctional antibacterial biodegradable chitosan films with clove essential oil and graphene oxide reinforcement

Contamination by microorganisms presents a significant concern across various sectors, including healthcare and food packaging. To address this, this study developed a novel antibacterial biodegradable film by incorporating chitosan, clove essential oil (CEO), and graphene oxide (GO). This study aimed to investigate the biological and mechanical properties of the chitosan/CEO/GO composite films. The film was fabricated using a solution casting method, and its antibacterial activities were tested against gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and gram-negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria. To further characterize the composite films, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were employed. These analyses confirmed the successful incorporation of CEO and GO into the chitosan matrix and provided insights into the structural and morphological properties of the films. The water contact angle measurements indicated enhanced hydrophobicity, beneficial for food packaging applications. The composite films exhibited significant antibacterial activity and enhanced mechanical properties, making them suitable for applications in antibacterial food packaging and related fields. The sample films retained their antibacterial efficacy over a 28-day storage period, with a loss of viability of 38.1±2.9% and 40.2±2.0% for E. coli and S. aureus, respectively. This demonstrated their long-term performance, as well as potential as effective antibacterial packaging materials.