Antibacterial and Structural Properties of Chitosan-Gelatin Edible Films Enhanced with Liquid Smoke from Rice Husks and Cajuput Twigs

Authors

• Muhammad Faisal, Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, 23111, Indonesia, Climate Change Research Center, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, 23111, Indonesia; AND Halal Research Center, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, 23111, IndonesiaFollow
• Dieni Mansur, Research Center for Molecular Chemistry, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), B.J. Habibie Science and Technology Area, South Tangerang, Banten 15314, IndonesiaFollow
• Hera Desvita, Research Center for Food Technology and Processing, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Gunungkidul, Yogyakarta 55861, IndonesiaFollow

Abstract

This study developed edible films incorporating liquid smoke derived from rice husks and cajuput twigs as both a chitosan solvent and an active antimicrobial–antioxidant agent. The fabricated films exhibited excellent mechanical integrity in accordance with Japanese Industrial Standards and possessed homogeneous microstructures, as evidenced by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analyses. Antibacterial tests demonstrated that higher concentrations of chitosan and liquid smoke enhanced inhibition against Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis, with inhibition zone diameters ranging from 6.08 mm to 11.68 mm for E.coli and 6.05 mm to 9.18 mm for B.subtilis. Antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis was enhanced in edible films containing rice husk and cajuput twig liquid smoke, with increases observed alongside rising concentrations of the liquid smoke. These results suggest that liquid smoke derived from biomass enhances the mechanical and antimicrobial properties of edible films, rendering them an eco-friendly and sustainable packaging solution.

Keywords

Cajuput (Melaleuca leucadendron) twigs, Chitosan, Edible films, Liquid smoke, Rice husks (Oryza sativa)

Subject Area

Chemistry

Article Type

Article

First Page

2025

Last Page

2034

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite this Article

Faisal, Muhammad; Mansur, Dieni; and Desvita, Hera (2026) "Antibacterial and Structural Properties of Chitosan-Gelatin Edible Films Enhanced with Liquid Smoke from Rice Husks and Cajuput Twigs," Baghdad Science Journal: Vol. 23: Iss. 6, Article 4.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21123/2411-7986.5319