In situ N-acetylcysteine release from polyvinyl alcohol film for moisture-activated food packaging

Single-use plastics used for food packaging have increased significantly environmental pollution. There is a global need to improve the sustainability of our packaging solutions by designing smart biodegradable polymers. In this work, we demonstrate a completely green, facile two-steps route to produce an antibacterial Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) film for packaging by using N-Acetylcysteine (NAC). PVA is a biopolymer with good compatibility, processability, and is degradable in water. NAC is known in medicine and nutrition for its antioxidant and antibacterial effects. Here we show how PVA films enriched with NAC (PVA-NAC) are mechanical resistant and at the same time exhibit strong UV light shielding. NAC is released from films and inhibits E. coli and S. aureus microorganisms growth. The developed PVA-NAC films are soluble in water and can be considered as a promising substitute for polluting plastic packaging.