Aloe vera mango starch–wool keratin film developed for sustainable packaging

A new paper in Scientific Reports, part of the Nature Portfolio, details how researchers turned mango seed starch and wool keratin into biodegradable films. Aloe vera gel extract was added to make the material stronger and more resistant to moisture. The goal is to create packaging from waste that can compete with synthetic plastics.

Three versions were made. One without Aloe vera. One with 20 mg of extract. And one with 40 mg. They were measured for thickness, water solubility, barrier properties, strength, and heat stability. The Aloe vera films came out thinner, dissolved less in water, and had a higher contact angle — nearly 68% more — showing they could block moisture better.

Packaging strength and structure improvements

Tests under the microscope showed a tighter bond between the starch and keratin when Aloe vera was added. The surface looked smoother, more even. The 40 mg film lost all crystallinity, which means the structure became uniform and flexible.

Tensile strength and stretch also went up with Aloe vera. That matters because many biopolymer films fail during handling. Here, the added strength could help them survive packing, shipping, and storage without tearing.

Application in produce preservation

The films were tried on mango fruit stored at 33 ± 2 °C. The two Aloe vera versions slowed down weight loss and kept the fruit in better shape than the film without Aloe vera. The 20 mg film had the least weight loss, while the 40 mg film resisted moisture best. Both slowed the enzymes that speed ripening.

Industry potential for sustainable packaging

The method uses mango seed kernels and sheep wool — materials often thrown away. Combined with Aloe vera’s natural compounds, the result is a film that works as both a barrier and an active preservation layer. The study says more work is needed to see how it performs in large-scale production and across different supply chains.

sustainable packaging — This research offers a way to cut waste and add shelf life benefits, giving the packaging sector another option for eco-friendly materials.