Beeswax-Coated Guar Gum/Gelatin Edible Films Infused with Neem ( <i>Azadirachta indica</i> ) Leaf Extract for Sustainable Food Packaging

Abstract

With the increasing focus on sustainability and food security, the food packaging industry is progressively shifting toward edible, biopolymer-based alternatives to reduce plastic waste and enhance food preservation. Addressing these aspects, we report the fabrication of a biobased edible film using guar gum-gelatin (2:1) blend, incorporated with neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf extract as an antibacterial agent, and coated with beeswax-castor oil blend to improve hydrophobicity, via the solvent casting method. The development of the film utilizes edible, biodegradable materials and avoids the use of any organic solvents or toxic substances. The edible film exhibited improved tensile strength (from 14.93 to 16.7 MPa), reduced water vapor permeability (from 1.773 × 10–9 g·m/m2·s·Pa to 1.433 ×