Muicle (Justicia spicigera) Flower Extract-Loaded PVA Films as Biobased Antimicrobial Packaging Materials

The development of biobased and biodegradable materials for food packaging is a critical step toward reducing environmental impact and replacing petroleum-derived plastics. In this work, the fabrication and characterization of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) films incorporating extracts from Muicle (Justicia spicigera) flowers are presented as a green approach to active packaging. Flower extracts were obtained using water and ethanol as solvents, employing decoction and sonication as green extraction methods. The resulting extracts, rich in phenolic and anthocyanin compounds, were mixed with PVA and processed into films through solvent casting. Physicochemical characterization confirmed the successful incorporation of bioactives and showed good film integrity. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using DPPH assays, which revealed an enhanced radical scavenging capacity in films containing ethanolic extracts. To assess antimicrobial potential, the bioactive films were used to package fresh fruit samples, which were placed in sealed glass beakers. Over time, microbiological growth on the fruit surface was monitored and compared to unprotected controls. The results demonstrated a significant reduction in microbial proliferation in the presence of muicle-enriched films, supporting their potential as biobased antimicrobial packaging. These findings demonstrate a viable pathway for integrating botanical bioactives into biodegradable polymer systems, contributing to sustainable material development in food technology and packaging.