Does the Hydrogel: Oleogel Ratio Affect the Physicochemical Properties of Gelatin–Beeswax Bioplastic Films?

Plastic waste from packaging poses a serious environmental problem due to its persistence and contribution to microplastic formation. Bigels, composed of hydrogel and oleogel, have emerged as an innovative approach to eco-friendly food packaging. This study aimed to analyze the effect of varying hydrogel-oleogel ratios on the physicochemical properties of bigel-based bioplastic films for food packaging applications. An experimental design was employed using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with four treatments and five replications. Data were analyzed using ANOVA, and when significant (p<0.05) or highly significant (p<0.01) differences were detected, further testing was conducted using Duncan's Multiple Range Test (DMRT). The treatments were Hydrogel: Oleogel ratios, consisted of T1 (90 :10), T2 (80 :20), T3 (70 :30) and T4 (60 :40) respectively. The findings indicated that the optimal ratio was achieved in T1 (90:10). Detailed results included solubility (21.133%), syneresis (81.186%), water-holding capacity (77.174%), moisture content (7.549%), thermal properties (TGA/DTG) more stable and optical microscopy which shows small and relatively homogeneous droplets. Overall, the results demonstrated that T1 (90:10) provided the most favorable physicochemical characteristics of bigels bioplastic films for food packaging applications. These findings highlight formulation-dependent structural mechanisms that advance the use of gelatin-beeswax gels for food packaging.