The food packaging industry explores economically viable, environmentally benign, and non-toxic packaging materials. Biopolymers, including chitosan (CH) and gelatin (GE), are considered a leading replacement for plastic packaging materials, with preferred packaging functionality and biodegradability. CH, GE, and different proportions of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are used to prepare novel packaging materials using a simple solution casting method. The functional and morphological characterization of the prepared films was carried out by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV–Visible spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The mechanical strength, solubility, water vapor transmission rate, swelling behavior, moisture retention capability, and biodegradability of composite films were evaluated. The addition of AgNPs to the polymer blend matrix improves the physicochemical and biological functioning of the matrix. Due to the cross-linking motion of AgNPs, it is found that the swelling degree, moisture retention capability, and water vapor transmission rate slightly decrease. The tensile strength of pure CH–GE films was 24.4 ± 0.03, and it increased to 25.8 ± 0.05 MPa upon the addition of 0.0075% of AgNPs. The real-time application of the films was tested by evaluating the shelf-life existence of carrot pieces covered with the composite films. The composite film containing AgNPs becomes effective in lowering bacterial contamination while comparing the plastic polyethylene films. In principle, the synthesized composite films possessed all the ideal characteristics of packaging material and were considered biodegradable and biocompatible food packaging material and an alternate option for petroleum-based plastics.

A facile green synthetic method is proposed for the synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using the bio-template Cinnamomum tamala (C. tamala) leaves extract. The morphological, functional, and structural characterization of synthesized ZnO NPs were studied by adopting different techniques such as energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-Visible spectroscopy, fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The fabricated ZnO NPs exhibit an average size of 35 nm, with a hexagonal nanostructure. Further, the well-characterized ZnO NPs were employed for the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) in an aqueous solution. The photocatalytic activity was analyzed by changing the various physicochemical factors such as reaction time, amount of photocatalyst, precursor concentration, and calcination temperature of the ZnO NPs. All the studies suggest that the ZnO synthesized through the green protocol exhibits excellent photocatalytic potency against the dye molecules.

Green bionanocomposites have garnered considerable attention and applications in the pharmaceutical and packaging industries because of their intrinsic features, such as biocompatibility and biodegradability. The work presents a novel approach towards the combined effect of glycerol, tween 80 and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on the physicochemical properties of lyophilized chitosan (CH) scaffolds produced via a green synthesis method.The produced bionanocomposites were characterized with the help of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The swelling behavior, water vapor transmission rate, moisture retention capability, degradation in Hanks solution, biodegradability in soil, mechanical strength and electrochemical performance of the composites were evaluated. The addition of additives to the CH matrix alters the physicochemical and biological functioning of the matrix. Plasticized scaffolds showed an increase in swelling degree, water vapor transmission rate and degradability in Hank’s balanced solution compared to the blank chitosan scaffolds. The addition of tween 80 made the scaffolds more porous, and changes in physicochemical properties were observed. Green-synthesized AgNPs showed intensified antioxidant and antibacterial properties. Incorporating biogenic nanoparticles into the CH matrix enhances the polymer composites’ biochemical properties and increases the demand in the medical and biological sectors. These freeze-dried chitosan-AgNPs composite scaffolds had tremendous applications, especially in biomedical fields like wound dressing, tissue engineering, bone regeneration, etc.

The plant mediated biogenic synthesis of nanoparticles is of magnificent concern due to its eco-benign and single pot nature. Here, Cinnamomum tamala ( C. tamala ) aqueous leaf extract was utilised for the silver nanoparticles’ (Ag NPs) synthesis. The phytoconstituents in the leaf extract were analysed by standard methods. These metabolites, especially carbohydrate polymers reduce Ag ions to Ag NPs accompanied by a reddish-brown coloration of the reaction mixture. The visual observation of intense brown colour is the first indication of the formation of Ag NPs. Various spectro-analytical techniques further characterise the Ag NPs. The green synthesised spherical Ag NPs were crystalline with an average size of 38 nm. The Ag NPs were scrutinised for antioxidant, antimicrobial and cytotoxic activity and obtained good results. The free radical scavenging was studied by 2, 2-Diphenyl-l-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. The antibacterial activity of Ag NPs was assessed against human pathogens, and it shown to have good antibacterial potency against a wide spectrum of bacteria. The cytotoxic activity against HEK-293T (human embryonic kidney) cell line was evaluated by 2,3-bis-(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide (XTT) assay. These potent biological activities enable C. tamala capped Ag NPs to be suitable candidates for the future applications in various fields, predominantly clinical and biomedical.

Chitosan (CS), the –OH groups in chitosan (CS) is one of the reasons for its distinctive properties. The hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties make it a viable choice for a Significant studies have been conducted on CS and CS-based polymer nanocomposites during the past year. These bio-nanocomposites are a group of novel biomaterials that are sustainable, adaptable, and have great potential in a variety of fields. The development of scalable, cost-effective, and eco-friendly CS based nanoparticles enhances the mechanical strength of the nanocomposites by acting as a filler in the polymer matrix. The physico-chemical, biological, thermal and electrical properties were improved the promising applications. In addition, inherent properties like biocompatibility, biodegradability, antimicrobial potency, non-toxicity, film-forming ability and chemical modification make them suitable for environmental, biomedical, pharmaceutical, and agricultural applications. The objective of this work is to provide a detailed description of CS across different sectors and applications.