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Volume 6
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Article

Methylcellulose Bionanocomposite Films Incorporated with Zein Nanoparticles Containing Propolis and Curcumin for Functional Packaging

by
Michael Ramos Nunes
1,2,*,
Cleonice Gonçalves da Rosa
3,4,
Gabriel Salvador
1,
Sarah Cardoso de Oliveira Teixeira
1,
Maria Clara Marinho da Costa
3,
Aline da Rosa Almeida
5,
Vanessa Valgas dos Santos
3,
Ana Emília Siegloch
3,
Fernando Domingo Zinger
1,
Jaqueline Suave
1 and
Dachamir Hotza
2,6
1
Multi-User Laboratory, Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Santa Catarina (IFSC), 225 Heitor Villa Lobos Street, Lages 88506-400, SC, Brazil
2
Graduate Program in Materials Science and Engineering (PGMAT), Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianopolis 88040-900, SC, Brazil
3
Multi-User Laboratory, Graduate Program in Environment and Health, Planalto Catarinense University, Lages 88509-900, SC, Brazil
4
Graduate Program in Health Management (PPGGS), University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC) and the University of Planalto Catarinense (UNIPLAC), Lages 88509-900, SC, Brazil
5
Center for Technological Sciences (CCT), State University of Santa Catarina (UDESC), Joinville 89219-710, SC, Brazil
6
Graduate Program in Chemical Engineering (PosENQ), Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianopolis 88040-900, SC, Brazil
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Polysaccharides 2025, 6(4), 91; https://doi.org/10.3390/polysaccharides6040091
Submission received: 4 August 2025 / Revised: 15 September 2025 / Accepted: 3 October 2025 / Published: 9 October 2025
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Abstract

The increasing demand for sustainable alternatives to non-biodegradable plastic packaging is driving the development of active packaging based on biopolymers such as methylcellulose. In this study, innovative methylcellulose nanocomposite films incorporating zein nanoparticles loaded with propolis and curcumin were developed for active packaging applications. The zein nanoparticles revealed excellent physicochemical properties, with a zeta potential above 30 mV, suggesting adequate stability. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed nanoparticles containing curcumin and propolis with uniform sizes ranging from approximately 130 to 140 nm with low polydispersity. Release studies revealed that approximately 25% of the curcumin and 35% of the propolis were released from the nanoparticles within 24 h. The release mechanism was best described by the Korsmeyer–Peppas model, suggesting a sustained release profile. The nanoparticles reduced the hydrophobicity and rigidity of the films, as evidenced by a lower elastic modulus and higher percentage elongation, thereby suggesting greater flexibility. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis revealed the incorporation of bioactive compounds in the polymer matrix. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) revealed the thermal parameters of the synthesized films. Furthermore, the films exhibited antibacterial and antioxidant activities, making them highly suitable for use as biodegradable active packaging.
Keywords: biodegradable packaging; methylcellulose films; zein nanoparticles biodegradable packaging; methylcellulose films; zein nanoparticles

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MDPI and ACS Style

Nunes, M.R.; da Rosa, C.G.; Salvador, G.; Teixeira, S.C.d.O.; da Costa, M.C.M.; Almeida, A.d.R.; dos Santos, V.V.; Siegloch, A.E.; Zinger, F.D.; Suave, J.; et al. Methylcellulose Bionanocomposite Films Incorporated with Zein Nanoparticles Containing Propolis and Curcumin for Functional Packaging. Polysaccharides 2025, 6, 91. https://doi.org/10.3390/polysaccharides6040091

AMA Style

Nunes MR, da Rosa CG, Salvador G, Teixeira SCdO, da Costa MCM, Almeida AdR, dos Santos VV, Siegloch AE, Zinger FD, Suave J, et al. Methylcellulose Bionanocomposite Films Incorporated with Zein Nanoparticles Containing Propolis and Curcumin for Functional Packaging. Polysaccharides. 2025; 6(4):91. https://doi.org/10.3390/polysaccharides6040091

Chicago/Turabian Style

Nunes, Michael Ramos, Cleonice Gonçalves da Rosa, Gabriel Salvador, Sarah Cardoso de Oliveira Teixeira, Maria Clara Marinho da Costa, Aline da Rosa Almeida, Vanessa Valgas dos Santos, Ana Emília Siegloch, Fernando Domingo Zinger, Jaqueline Suave, and et al. 2025. "Methylcellulose Bionanocomposite Films Incorporated with Zein Nanoparticles Containing Propolis and Curcumin for Functional Packaging" Polysaccharides 6, no. 4: 91. https://doi.org/10.3390/polysaccharides6040091

APA Style

Nunes, M. R., da Rosa, C. G., Salvador, G., Teixeira, S. C. d. O., da Costa, M. C. M., Almeida, A. d. R., dos Santos, V. V., Siegloch, A. E., Zinger, F. D., Suave, J., & Hotza, D. (2025). Methylcellulose Bionanocomposite Films Incorporated with Zein Nanoparticles Containing Propolis and Curcumin for Functional Packaging. Polysaccharides, 6(4), 91. https://doi.org/10.3390/polysaccharides6040091

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