Sustainable PVA Films Plasticized with Deep Eutectic Solvents for Active Packaging Applications

This study explores poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) films plasticized with deep eutectic solvents (DES) via solvent casting. The influence of PVA’s degree of hydrolysis (DH) and molecular weights (Mw) on mechanical, thermal, barrier, and antimicrobial properties was examined. Three types of PVA, with DH ranging from 86.7 to 98.8% and Mw from 47 to 130 kDa, were utilized. Incorporating DES, a class of sustainable plasticizers based on natural components like choline chloride and organic acids, provides eco-friendly alternatives to conventional plasticizers. Among the DES tested, ChCl/CA showed the best performance, yielding films with high tensile strength (up to 51 MPa) and elongation at break (∼470%). The PVA films showed potential antifungal activity, effectively inhibiting mold growth on bread for 22 days. Furthermore, as edible coatings, these films preserved food freshness, extending the shelf life of cherry tomatoes by 12 days. Importantly, this study provides a comprehensive analysis of the influence of PVA’s degree of hydrolysis and molecular weight on the performance of DES-plasticized films, addressing a rarely explored area in the literature. These results underscore the potential of DES-based PVA films for active packaging and coatings, promoting sustainable material innovations that combine functional and environmental benefits.