Chitosan and procyanidin composite films with high antioxidant activity and pH responsivity for cheese packaging

Chitosan–procyanidin composite films (CS–PC films) with different mass ratios were prepared by solution casting method. Their structural, thermal, physical, and antioxidant properties, antibacterial activity and pH responsivity were determined. Compared with CS–control film, CS–PC films exhibited lower solubility and higher tensile strength. The antimicrobial properties against Escherichia coli and Aspergillus niger were improved by 20.0% and 30.4%, respectively. CS–PC films indicated good antioxidant activity through their DPPH and ABTS+ scavenging rates, which were 2.45 times higher than CS–control film. pH responsivity was represented by the outstanding changes in color, which were visible to the naked eye. Food packaging film with high antioxidant activity, bacteriostatic properties and pH responsivity was prepared by CS and PC. Compared with the initial properties of cheese, the characteristics of cheese packaged with CS–PC films were obviously better than those of the control groups.