Development of Aloe Vera-Green Banana Saba-Curcumin Composite Film for Colorimetric Detection of Ferrum (II).

This study was performed to develop and characterize a bio-film composed of Aloe vera (), green banana Saba ( x ), and curcumin for the detection of Fe ions. Cross-linking interaction between banana starch-aloe vera gel and banana starch-curcumin enhanced l the sensing performance of the composite film towards divalent metal ions of Fe. The morphological structure of the Aloe vera-banana starch-curcumin composite revealed a smooth and compact surface without cracks and some heterogeneity when observed under Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The thickness, density, color property, opacity, biodegradation, moisture content, water-solubility, water absorption, swelling degree, and water vapor permeability of bio-films were measured. The incorporation of aloe vera gel and curcumin particles onto the banana starch film has successfully improved the film properties. The formation of the curcumin-ferrum (II) complex has triggered the film to transform color from yellow to greenish-brown after interaction with Fe ions that exhibit an accuracy of 101.11% within a swift reaction time. Good linearity (R = 0.9845) of response on colorimetric analysis was also obtained in Fe ions concentration that ranges from 0 to 100 ppm, with a limit of detection and quantification found at 27.84 ppm and 92.81 ppm, respectively. In this context, the film was highly selective towards Fe ions because no changes of color occur through naked eye observation when films interact with other metal ions, including Fe, Pb, Ni, Cd, and Cu Thus, these findings encourage curcumin-based starch films as sensing materials to detect Fe ions in the field of food and agriculture.