Reinforcement of chitosan/ polyvinyl alcohol film by quercetin self-assembled nanocrystals for fresh meat preservation.

Abstract

The development of sustainable and functional food packaging is essential for mitigating food waste. In this study, quercetin nanocrystals (QNs) are synthesized and utilized to improve functionality of chitosan/ polyvinyl alcohol (PC) films. Molecular dynamics simulations and experimental characterizations reveal that the self-assembly of QNs is primarily driven by supramolecular interactions. QNs exhibit good compatibility with PC films, acting both as a nanofiller to improve mechanical properties (tensile strength of 49.68 MPa and elongation at break of 176.02 %) and as an active agent to impart antioxidant properties (fourfold increase compared to plain PC film). Additionally, QNs enhance the thermal stability, UV-blocking capability, and water vapor barrier properties of the PC films. More importantly, the QNs-reinforced PC films significantly extend the shelf life of fresh meat to 11 days. This work provides an effective strategy for fabricating eco-friendly and functional food packaging materials, demonstrating great potential for application in food preservation.