As consumer interest in shelf life and high quality of fresh and minimally processed foods continues to rise, the demand for food packaging that can maintain freshness and inhibit deterioration has also increased. Antimicrobial active packaging is a t...
As consumer interest in shelf life and high quality of fresh and minimally processed foods continues to rise, the demand for food packaging that can maintain freshness and inhibit deterioration has also increased. Antimicrobial active packaging is a technology designed to suppress microbial growth, thereby enhancing the safety and freshness of food products. In this study, an antimicrobial active film was developed by incorporating a quaternized chitosan derivative (HACC), a natural antimicrobial agent, into ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA). The successful synthesis of HACC was confirmed using FTIR and 1H NMR analyses, and the incorporation of HACC into the film matrix was verified through XRD analysis. Compared with neat EVA films, the EVA/HACC composite films exhibited no deterioration in mechanical properties and retained their thermal stability. In food storage tests comparing unpackaged apples, apples stored in EVA films, and apples stored in EVA/HACC composite films, the EVA/HACC films demonstrated significantly reduced moisture loss and color changes. The EVA/HACC film exhibited strong antimicrobial activity, showing more than 90% inhibition against E. coli O157:H7 and S. epidermidis. Moreover, the antimicrobial durability test confirmed that this activity was maintained at approximately 90% or higher for up to eight weeks for both bacterial strains. Therefore, the developed EVA/HACC composite film is expected to serve as an effective antimicrobial active packaging material for the storage and distribution of fresh produce, thereby enhancing food safety and extending shelf life.