Gelatin-Based Biofilms with Fe(x)O(y)-NPs Incorporated for Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Applications

Currently, gelatin-based films are regarded as promising alternatives to non-environmentally friendly plastic films for food packaging. Nevertheless, although they have great biodegradability, their weak mechanical properties and high solubility limit their applications. In this way, the use of nanoparticles, such as Fe(x)O(y)-NPs, could improve the properties of gelatin-based biofilms. Thus, the main objective of this work was to include different concentrations of Fe(x)O(y)-NPs (0.25 and 1.0%) manufactured by green synthesis (GS) and chemical synthesis (CS) into gelatin-based biofilms in order to improve their properties. The results show that Fe(x)O(y)-NPs can be distributed throughout the biofilm, although with a greater concentration on the upper surface. In addition, the incorporation of Fe(x)O(y)-NPs into the biofilms improves their physicochemical, mechanical, morphological, and biological properties. Thus, it is possible to achieve suitable gelatin-based biofilms, which can be used in several applications, such as functional packaging in the food industry, antioxidant and antimicrobial additives in biomedical and pharmaceutical biomaterials, and in agricultural pesticides.