Research Projects

Macaranga peltata tree gum, a resinous tree native to India, sri Lanka, and Thailand, has been discovered as a bioadhesive for cellulosic materials and a potential candidate for developing active biodegradable films. This research aims to develop anthocyanin-based smart packaging materials as a freshness indicator for perishable foods, monitoring their safety and quality during storage. Anthocyanin, a natural pigment, undergoes structural modifications and gives different colors under a wide range of pH, making it a potential biomarker. Researchers are exploring the use of plant sources like Baccaurea courtallensis and Centratherum punctatum for smart packaging films due to their sustainability, biodegradability, and non-toxicity. The study aims to extract, purify, and characterize gum from Macaranga peltata for adhesive applications and investigate intelligent-active pH responsive film development from heat moisture treated gum or cross-linked starch binary mixtures.