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

Abstract

Composite films PVA-CS-Curx (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-Curx 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-Cur0.12 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-Curx 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-Cur0.12 reached to 94.0 ± 3.09%. The excellent decontamination in meat preservation endowed films with the possibility in application of food decontamination.