Ocimum basilicum seed mucilage reinforced with montmorillonite for preparation of bionanocomposite film for food packaging applications.

Use of nanocomposites is a well-established approach in enhancing the mechanical 52
and barrier properties of bionanocomposite film for food packaging applications. The 53
seed mucilage of Ocimum basilicum was employed for the preparation of 54
bionanocomposite films with montmorillonite (MMT) as nanofiller. The films were 55
prepared by solvent-casting method at varied solution pH (1, 3, 5 and 9) and MMT 56
loading (1%, 3%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%). The films were characterized for physical, 57
mechanical and barrier properties in addition to microstructure and X-ray diffraction 58
pattern. XRD analysis revealed the exfoliated dispersion of MMT at pH 9, confirming its 59
effective interaction with the bionanocomposite film. Maximum film tensile strength was 60
achieved at a lower MMT load of 5%. Water vapour permeability reduced with increase 61
in MMT loading up to 5%, followed by an increase at higher MMT loadings. Film formed 62
at pH 9 showed tensile strength of 17.3 ± 0.33 MPa and reduced water vapour 63
permeability (WVP) of 0.21g.mm.m-2 .hr-1.kPa-1.