The development of active food packaging materials has traditionally focused on antimicrobial strategies to inhibit microbial growth. However, protein adsorption, microbial adhesion, and biofilm formation on food packaging film surfaces remain insuffi...
The development of active food packaging materials has traditionally focused on antimicrobial strategies to inhibit microbial growth. However, protein adsorption, microbial adhesion, and biofilm formation on food packaging film surfaces remain insufficiently studied. In this study, we propose an antifouling approach based on the development of a functional polymer-based multilayer film that not only inhibits cell death but also inhibits initial protein adsorption and microbial adhesion. Pluronic-based amphiphilic polymers were synthesized and coated to form a multilayer film. The sur- face properties of the film were analyzed using various methods. The adsorption of BSA protein, and the adhesion and growth of the marine microorganism Ulva, on the multilayer film surface were investigated. The developed pluronic- based ABC triblock copolymer film significantly reduced BSA protein adsorption, Ulva adhesion and growth, and bio- film formation. This result was supported by various surface analyses, which demonstrated that the surface of the ABC block copolymer-based multilayer film containing pluronic groups undergoes structural rearrangement in an aqueous environment, resulting in excellent hydrophilicity and hydration layer properties. Unlike existing antimicrobial packaging research, this study presents a novel, preventive approach based on surface design, thereby providing new directions and solutions for the development of safe and sustainable packaging films and containers for proteins, microorganisms, and other substances in food.