Poly(vinyl alcohol) antibacterial films containing cross‐linked chitosan‐citric and photosensitive curcumin

Abstract Composite films PVA‐CS‐Cur x (x = 0, 0.01, 0.06 and 0.12%) were successfully obtained by using vacuum‐drying at 80°C. The occurrence of nonenzymatic browning and cross‐linking of chitosan‐citric improved the thermal stability, water‐resistance, and mechanical property of films. Under the same humidity, the oxygen permeability of PVA‐CS‐Cur x showed the dependence of test temperature and curcumin concentration ( P < 0.05). Relative to other films, the oxygen permeability (10 −14 cc μm cm −2 s −1 Pa −1 ) of PVA‐CS‐Cur 0.12 was 3.47 ± 0.55, 4.72 ± 0.94, and 7.29 ± 0.45 at 23, 30, and 40°C, respectively, showing gentle upward trend as temperature increased. Under white light irradiation, excellent antibacterial capability of PVA‐CS‐Cur x demonstrated that polycationic chitosan‐citric complex and curcumin immobilized in films played the roles as synergistic antibacterial agents. Upon white irradiation of 20 min at 60 mW cm −2 , the bactericidal rate of PVA‐CS‐Cur 0.12 reached to 94.0 ± 3.09%. The excellent decontamination in meat preservation endowed films with the possibility in application of food decontamination.