Performance Evaluation of Active BioBased Molded Pulp Egg Trays Incorporated with Carica papaya Leaf Extract for Egg Shelf-Life Extension
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62671/circulizer.v1i1.251Keywords:
Active biodegradable packaging; circular economy; recycled corrugated cardboard; Carica papaya leaf extract; egg shelf life; bio-based functional materials; ambient food preservation.Abstract
The rapid growth of global egg consumption necessitates sustainable packaging systems capable of maintaining product quality while reducing environmental burdens associated with petroleum-based and non-functional materials. This study develops an active biodegradable molded pulp egg tray derived from recycled corrugated cardboard and functionalized with Carica papaya leaf extract as a natural bioactive agent for ambient egg preservation. The work is positioned within the circular economy framework, where lignocellulosic waste is valorized into a high-value food packaging system with shelf-life–extending functionality. Molded fiber trays containing two concentrations of papaya leaf extract were fabricated and compared with a commercial egg tray. Egg quality was monitored over 21 days at room temperature through albumen condition, yolk integrity, albumen index, yolk index, and flotation behavior in accordance with standardized freshness indicators. The functionalized trays demonstrated a slower decline in internal egg quality compared with the commercial control, as evidenced by higher average albumen index values (0.051 and 0.053 for extract-modified trays versus 0.043 for the commercial tray) and improved yolk index retention (0.31 and 0.33 versus 0.26, respectively). Structural integrity of the yolk and delayed albumen thinning at extended storage time indicate a preservation effect associated with the phytochemical content of papaya leaves, which is known to exhibit antimicrobial and antioxidant activity. These findings confirm the feasibility of integrating natural bioactive compounds into recycled molded fiber as an environmentally benign active packaging system for non-refrigerated egg storage. The study provides a scalable pathway for converting paper-based waste into functional food packaging while reducing postharvest losses in regions with limited cold-chain infrastructure. Limitations related to the absence of physicochemical, microbiological, and migration analyses are identified as priorities for future research toward industrial implementation.
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