Biodegradable Active Packaging With Improved Functionality Through PVA , Itaconic Acid, Chitosan, Nanoparticles, and Lemon Peel for Sustainable Solutions

The growing demand for sustainable and eco-friendly packaging has driven research into developing biodegradable materials with enhanced functionality. This study develops and evaluates biodegradable polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-based films incorporating itaconic acid (IA), chitosan (Ch), lemon peel extract (Lp), and silver nanoparticles (Np's) for active food packaging applications. In a controlled 11-day storage study at 4°C, when used to coat blueberries, these bioactive films showed reduced weight loss by up to 13.3%, maintained visual quality, and exhibited significantly lower microbial loads (***p < 0.001) compared to uncoated controls. The films exhibited pH-responsive swelling, peaking at pH 9 (92.95% for PVA + Ch) and reduced water vapor permeability (1.6% ± 1.2% for PVA + IA + Np + Lp). Biodegradability tests revealed up to 61.8% degradation in 8 weeks, confirming their environmental benefits. Adding IA and Ch enhanced mechanical strength and moisture resistance, while Lp and Np's provided antioxidant properties, making these films promising alternatives to conventional plastic packaging. This study presents a scalable approach to developing multifunctional, biodegradable films with potential for real-world adoption in sustainable food packaging systems.