Exploring the Effective Utilization of Shallot Stalk Waste and Tamarind Seed for Packaging Film Preparation

Purpose Owing to the increased generation of agricultural bio-waste especially onion solid waste and its impact on environment, the present study mainly focused on the utilization of selected waste streams such as shallot stalk and tamarind seed for development of packaging films which can be used as an alternative to plastic films. Methods Different extraction methods were used for the extraction of xyloglucan (XG). The condition of selected extraction method was optimized by central composite design using response surface methodology. The shallot stalk powder (SSP) packaging film was prepared with extracted XG by casting method. The properties of xyloglucan and SSP packaging film were analyzed and it was compared with commercial pectin based films. Results Microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) provided a high yield of 21.75% of xyloglucan compared to other methods with optimum process parameters as power level 400 W, liquid to solid ratio 99.43 ml/g, temperature 83.23 °C and time 14.29 min, respectively. The SSP films have less water vapor permeability 1.06 × 10 −10 −1.49 × 10 −10 g/m. s. Pa, high total phenolic content 63.76–69.23 mg/g and antioxidant capacity 23.47–24.09% compared to the control films. Conclusion Thus, the study provides the rational for effective utilization of not only shallot stalk waste, but also other onion solid waste includes flower, petiole and skin in food packaging applications. Graphicl Abstract