Antibacterial activity of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/ε-polylysine packaging films and the effect on longan fruit

Abstract Biodegradable and antimicrobial films via combing ε-polylysine (ε-PL) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is a promising material for food packaging. We prepared the ε-PL/ PVA films with the ε-PL content of 0%, 1%, 3%, 5% and 7% (wt., relative to PVA) by casting method and their physical and chemical properties were characterized. SEM indicated the surface of ε-PL/PVA films was smooth with well compatibility between ε-PL and PVA at the ε-PL addition content of 1%. The tensile strength and barrier properties for water vapor and oxygen of the ε-PL/PVA films initially elevated and then decreased when ε-PL content exceeded 1%. The ε-PL doped endows antibacterial activity of PVA and the antibacterial property of ε-PL/PVA films was increasing with increase of ε-PL content. Compared with the control, the ε-PL/PVA packaging films could inhibit effectively the pericarp browning and pulp breakdown for longan, consequently the rate of commercially acceptable fruit packaged by ε-PL/PVA films was improved dramatically. However, the effect of ε-PL/PVA on weight loss rate for longan was worse than the control.