Development and characterization of chitosan and D-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate composite films containing different flavones

Abstract In this study, antioxidant and antibacterial packaging were developed by individually incorporating 1 wt% of flavones (chrysin, apigenin and luteolin) into chitosan (CS) and D-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS) composite films. The microstructures, physical properties, antioxidant and antibacterial activities of CS-TPGS films containing different flavones were compared. Microstructure observation showed that incorporation of flavones somewhat reduced the homogeneity of the films. Flavones formed hydrogen bonds with other film components and changed the crystallinity of the films. As compared with CS-TPGS film, the films containing different flavones exhibited reduced tensile strength but enhanced UV–vis light barrier property and antibacterial activity. Among the films containing different flavones, the film containing luteolin showed the highest water vapor, oxygen and UV light barrier properties, tensile strength and antioxidant activity. However, the film containing chrysin exhibited the lowest water vapor, oxygen and UV light barrier properties and tensile strength but the highest antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes. Our results suggested CS-TPGS film containing luteolin could be used as antioxidant and antibacterial packaging in food industry.