Dr. RAVISHANKAR, Chandragiri Nagaraja Rao	Dr.RENUKA, Vijayakumar	Dr. ELAVARASAN, Krishnamoorthy	Dr.BINDU, Jaganath

Scientists from ICAR–Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (ICAR-CIFT) have been granted a patent for the invention entitled “Antioxidative biocomposite film and a process for its preparation” The biofunctional composite film developed containingbiofunctional and biodegradable ingredients such as chitooligosaccharide, chitosan, and gelatin, representing a significant advancement in sustainable improved utilization of seafood processing by-products and environment friendly food packaging technologies. This innovation is the output of years of research by a team of scientist -Dr. C.N. Ravishankar, Dr. Renuka Vijayakumar, Dr. Elavarasan Krishnamoorthy, and Dr. Bindu Jaganath. The patent application was originally filed in 2022 and granted on 25.05.2026 for the term of 20 years.

The patented technology focuses on converting fish and shellfish processing discards into eco-friendly, biodegradable food packaging materials and enhanced with antioxidative functions. The Indian seafood processing industry generates substantial quantities of biological waste every year, creating environmental and disposal challenges. This innovation demonstrates an effective strategy for transforming such waste into high-value biocomposite functional materials. In this study, chitooligosaccharides and chitosan were produced from shrimp shell processing waste, while gelatin was extracted from fish skin. Chitooligosaccharides are short-chain derivatives of chitosan and have emerged as promising biomaterials due to their non-toxicity, biocompatibility, biodegradability, and notable biological activities, including antioxidant, antibacterial, and therapeutic properties. Using these naturally derived biomaterials, the research team developed an antioxidative biocomposite film intended for food packaging applications. The antioxidative characteristics of the film enhance the storage stability and extending the shelf life of packaged food products from oxidation, thereby improving food quality. and reducing post-harvest losses.

Conventional chemical-based packaging materials pose concerns due to their environmental persistence and potential health impacts. Although several bio-based packaging materials are currently available, many are not completely biodegradable and often provide limited functionality in prolonging product shelf life. In this context, fish gelatin-based films are gaining increasing attention as alternatives to conventional animal-derived gelatin, addressing both ethical and safety concerns. Fish gelatin possesses favorable characteristics such as good film-forming ability, excellent optical transparency, and effective gas barrier properties, making it highly suitable for edible and biodegradable food packaging applications.

The innovation patented by the research team of the Fish Processing Division, ICAR–Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (ICAR-CIFT) highlights the potential of circular bioeconomy approaches by transforming seafood processing waste into value-added, sustainable packaging solutions. The innovation aligns with national priorities on waste valorization, environmental sustainability, and development of innovative food packaging systems, reinforcing the commitment of ICAR-CIFT towards advancing research-driven solutions for the fisheries and food processing sectors