Physico-chemical and functional properties of rutin induced chitosan/poly (vinyl alcohol) bioactive films for food packaging applications

Rutin induced Chitosan/Poly (vinyl alcohol) bioactive films were developed by using solvent casting technique. The effect of various concentrations (0.2, 0.4 and 0.6%) of rutin on physico-chemical and functional properties of bioactive films were studied and analysis results indicated that presence of rutin improved the barrier to UV-light, WVP, OTR, water resistance, water solubility and thermal properties. The results of water contact angle, FTIR and SEM showed that addition of rutin increased the network compactness of the bioactive films which resulted from strong intermolecular interactions through hydrogen bonding. Stress-strain curves demonstrated that the incorporation of 0.6% of rutin gives maximum values of TS, %EB and YM as 54 ± 1 MPa, 51 ± 1.5% and 1423 ± 13.2 MPa, respectively. Bioactive films showed strong antimicrobial activity against E. coli and S. aureus bacteria. The overall migration of components of bioactive films in different food simulants were within the permitted limits of 10 mg/dm 2 . Hence, rutin induced CS/PVA bioactive films have potential to be used for improving food quality and extending the shelf life of food. • Rutin (Rt) induced Chitosan/Poly(vinyl alcohol) bioactive films were successfully prepared by solvent casting technique. • Bioactive films showed excellent antimicrobial activity against S. aureus and E. coli bacteria. • Presence of Rt improved the barrier to UV-light, WVTR, OTR and mechanical properties. • The overall migration values of the bioactive films were within the permitted limits of 10 mg/dm 2 .