Abstract:
The development of biodegradable packaging has gained increasing importance
due to the environmental concerns associated with synthetic plastics. The present
study aimed to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of edible film coating in
extending the shelf life and sensory quality of paneer during refrigerated storage
at 4±1°C. The edible film was prepared by combining banana peel starch and
cassava starch with distilled water and glycerol. Two formulations were prepared:
T1 {banana peel starch (50%) + cassava starch (50%) + Glycerol (1%) + Distilled
water (100 ml)} and T2 {banana peel starch (60%) + cassava starch (40%) +
Glycerol (1%) + Moringa leaf extract with distilled water (100ml)}. The films
were characterized for thickness, moisture content, water solubility, and pH.
Results showed increased thickness and reduced moisture content in moringa-
incorporated film (T2) compared to T1 film. Paneer samples coated with T1 and
T2 films, along with an uncoated control, were stored at 4 ± 1°C and evaluated for
physicochemical parameters and sensory attributes. During storage, coated
samples showed significantly lower moisture loss (41.62% to 40.43%) and slower
pH decline (5.86 to 5.68) compared to the control, with T2 indicating superior
stability. Titratable acidity increased (0.29 to 0.60) across all samples; however,
the coated paneer samples exhibited a markedly slower rise in acidity compared
to the control. Sensory evaluation indicated that T2 maintained higher scores for
appearance, texture, colour, and overall acceptability up to 10 days, whereas the
control became unacceptable by day 10. The incorporation of moringa leaf powder
enhanced both the functional properties of the film and the preservation quality of
paneer. Overall, moringa-incorporated edible films indicated potential as a natural,
biodegradable packaging material for extending the shelf life and improving the
quality of paneer.
