Chitosan based ZnO nanoparticles loaded gallic-acid films for active food packaging

Chitosan (Ch) and zinc oxide nanoparticles loaded gallic-acid films, ([email protected]) have been prepared aiming for their exploitation as environmentally benign food packaging material. The chitosan films with varying quantities of zinc oxide nanoparticles loaded gallic-acid ([email protected]) content were synthesized in order to evaluate the effect of [email protected] on their optimum mechanical and biological potential. The characteristic results have shown that the incorporation of [email protected] into chitosan films remarkably enhanced the desired mechanical property of the chitosan films. Other noticeable physical properties such as oxygen and water vapor permeability (WVP), swelling, water solubility and UV–vis light transmittance have also been found to improve positively. SEM analysis of the films indicates a good material compatibility between chitosan and [email protected] matrices. [email protected] films possess significant antibacterial potential and strong antioxidant behavior compared to pristine chitosan. The overall results suggested that the prepared biocomposite chitosan films may be considered for active food packaging applications.