Deep eutectic solvents and mango peel extract as active ingredients of Pva films

Sustainable food packaging materials have gained significant attention due to environmental concerns and the necessity for functional packaging solutions. This study explores the development of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-based films incorporating deep eutectic solvents (DES) and bioactive mango peel extract (MPE). The addition of DES enhances the mechanical and physicochemical properties of PVA films, while MPE provides antioxidant activity. The films were characterized for optical properties, barrier behavior, swelling capacity, and biological functionality. Incorporation of DES and MPE modified the water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) from 23.5 for pure PVA to over 1000 g/m²/day, while swelling values ranged between 161 and 282%. Mechanical testing showed tensile strength values of 20-107 MPa with elongation at break between 10 and 417%, depending on film composition. Films containing MPE demonstrated effective UV-blocking ability and significantly enhanced antioxidant activity, with radical scavenging increasing from 17% in pure PVA to ~ 95%.