Intellectual Property India Publishes Patent Application for Development Of A Biodegradable Chitosan-Based Biofilm Reinforced With Pineapple Crown Cellulose And Functionalized With Spent Coffee Ground Phenolics.

MUMBAI, India, Sept. 14 -- Intellectual Property India has published a patent application (202641102337 A) filed by Ms. Divya Nair; Bharath Sanjay K; Catherine J; Dhaniya G K; and Muruganantham S on August 25, 2026, for Development Of A Biodegradable Chitosan-Based Biofilm Reinforced With Pineapple Crown Cellulose And Functionalized With Spent Coffee Ground Phenolics..

Inventors include Ms. Divya Nair; Bharath Sanjay K; Catherine J; Dhaniya G K; and Muruganantham S.

The application for the patent was published on September 11, 2026, under issue no. 37/2026.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a biodegradable, redox-active composite film and its preparation method, suitable for smart and active food packaging. The film comprises a biopolymer matrix of chitosan, a reinforcing phase of cellulose fibers derived from pineapple crown waste, and a functional phase consisting of a phenolic- rich extract obtained from spent coffee grounds (SCG). The SCG extract, containing chlorogenic acids, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, and melanoidins, serves simultaneously as an antioxidant agent and an intrinsic redox-responsive chromophore system. During preparation, pineapple crown cellulose fibers are isolated via alkali treatment and bleaching, milled to a fine powder, and dispersed in water. Chitosan is dissolved in dilute acetic acid with glycerol as plasticizer. The cellulose dispersion and SCG extract are incorporated into the chitosan solution under controlled stirring to obtain a homogeneous casting solution, which is then solvent-cast and dried to yield flexible, brown-colored films. The resulting composite films exhibit enhanced mechanical strength and barrier properties relative to neat chitosan films, together with significant antioxidant activity. Crucially, the integrated phenolic—melanoidin system undergoes progressive oxidation upon exposure to air, heat, or oxidizing spoilage volatiles, leading to a measurable and visually perceptible change in film color that correlates with the remaining antioxidant capacity. This enables the film to function as a self-reporting "antioxidant-life" indicator, providing a simple visual cue regarding the oxidative status of the packaged product.

Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.