Evaluation of Glycerol Concentration in the Production of Lemon Oil Incorporated Pectin-Based Films Using Principal Component Analysis

waste and enriched with lemon essential oil. The films were produced using the casting method. The findings show that glycerol significantly impacts film thickness, swelling behavior, water solubility, moisture content, water vapor permeability, and structural and mechanical characteristics. FTIR spectroscopy confirmed molecular interactions between glycerol and the film matrix. Notably, films with 20-30 wt% glycerol had reduced transparency. Mechanically, glycerol increased the elongation at break, enhancing flexibility, while a 5 wt% glycerol concentration optimized tensile strength. However, higher glycerol levels led to decreased tensile strength. Principal Component Analysis identified 5 wt% glycerol as optimal for balancing flexibility and structural integrity. Additionally, glycerol-plasticized films were more hydrophilic than the control. These results highlight glycerol's crucial role as a plasticizer and the importance of precise concentration control in biodegradable film formulations.

• glycerol concentration
• pectin films
• lemon essential oil
• plasticizers
• biodegradable films
• film thickness
• swelling behavior
• water vapor permeability
• tensile strength
• hydrophilicity
• transparency
• food waste valorization

• 12 — الاستهلاك والإنتاج المسؤولان

• Nanocomposite Films for Food Packaging
• Advanced Cellulose Research Studies
• Polysaccharides Composition and Applications
• glycerol concentration
• pectin films
• lemon essential oil
• plasticizers
• biodegradable films
• film thickness
• swelling behavior
• water vapor permeability
• Biomaterials
• Food Science
• Materials Science
• Agricultural and Biological Sciences