Fabrication of chitosan/Cashew Nut Shell Liquid/plant extracts-based bio-formulated nanosheets with embedded iron oxide nanoparticles as multi-functional barrier resist eco-packaging material

We report the fabrication of bio-formulated nanosheets with CNSL (Cashew Nut Shell Liquid), iron oxide nanoparticles, chitosan biopolymer and plant extracts from the sources of Mentha spicata L., Vitex negundo L., and Eucalyptus globulus M.) for improved efficacy in food packaging. The FTIR, SEM and AFM analyses revealed uniform distribution of iron oxide nanoparticles and nano-formulated bio-active compounds in the chitosan matrix. The EDAX analysis of the fabricated bio-formulated nanosheets confirmed the constituent elements of chitosan, CNSL, iron oxide and plant extracts. The bio-formulated nanosheets embedded with iron oxide nanoparticles of average size ~ 100 nm reflects an efficient thermal stability and barrier properties (UV, oxygen). Further studies of water imbibed bio-formulated nanosheets with the blending of CNSL along with iron oxide nanoparticles exhibited an excellent resistivity against Gram-negative bacteria ( Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ) and Gram-positive bacteria ( Bacillus subtilis , Staphylococcus aureus ). The study revealed that the bio-formulated nanosheets could be used as a potential barrier resist eco-packaging material.