Ecofriendly Active Poly(vinyl alcohol)/Agarose/D‐glucose/Piper Betle Linn. Leaf Extract Films as Potential Packaging Materials

Abstract

AbstractThe present study aimed at developing ecofriendly active films from poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), agarose, D‐glucose and Piper betle Linn. leaf extract (PBLLE) using a solution casting method. Agarose, D‐glucose and PBLLE have been found to exhibit excellent compatibility with the PVA‐matrix and thus support desired changes in the film characteristics. The co‐addition of agarose and D‐glucose to PVA gave rise to water‐resistance as well as flexibility of the PVA‐based films. The incorporation of PBLLE imparted active functions to the PVA/agarose/D‐glucose film, such as the ability to scavenge DPPH radicals and strong antibacterial activity against both Gram‐negative and Gram‐positive bacteria. Moreover, significant improvement in both mechanical strength and flexibility of the PVA/agarose/D‐glucose films was obtained upon the addition of a sufficient amount of PBLLE. A PBLLE/PVA ratio of 1.5 was found to promote a more than 1.5‐fold increase of the elongation at break. Increasing PBLLE content in the films enhanced the UV absorption in the 300–450 nm range. Characterization results show that the PVA/agarose/D‐glucose/PBLLE films possess interesting properties for UV‐protective and active packaging applications.