Preparation and property studies of chitosan-PVA biodegradable antibacterial multilayer films doped with Cu2O and nano-chitosan composites

• Published in: Food control 2021-08, Vol.126, p.108049, Article 108049
• Main Authors: Yan, Jianghao, Li, Min, Wang, Huifang, Lian, Xiaojie, Fan, Yanying, Xie, Zhigao, Niu, Baolong, Li, Wenfeng
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chitosan; Cu2O; Ferulic acid; Food packages; Layer-by-layer assembly; PVA
• ISSN: 0956-7135; 1873-7129
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2021.108049

Traditional plastic packages threaten the security of the environment and human beings. In this circumstance, novel biodegradable composite packages based on biodegradable materials have attracted increasing attention. In this study, the multilayer films containing chitosan and polyvinyl alcohol were prepared by Layer-by-Layer assembly technology with the addition of ferulic acid as a cross-linking agent. They demonstrated the enhanced performances in terms of tensile strength, water resistance, and antioxidant activity, while the interaction between PVA and chitosan was investigated by structure analysis. Successively, the addition of Cu2O@NCs further improved the tensile strength, water resistance, and antibacterial activities of films due to the well-dispersed nanoparticles in the matrix. The prepared films exhibited biodegradable properties and extended the shelf life of cherry tomatoes. In summary, the prepared composite films exhibited great potential for functional food packaging. •The multilayer films composed of PVA and CS exhibited better overall performances than blending film.•The composite films exhibited excellent UV-blocking and antioxidant performance due to the incorporation of ferulic acid.•The composite films demonstrated biodegradable activity in the soil.•The antibacterial activity of the composite films was closely related to the integration of Cu2O@NCs.•The composite films extended the shelf life of cherry tomatoes.