Next Article in Journal
Co-Exposure to Glyphosate and Polyethylene Microplastic Affects Their Toxicity to Chlorella vulgaris: Implications for Algal Health and Aquatic Risk
Previous Article in Journal
Design, Synthesis and Herbicidal Activity of 1,2,4-Oxadiazole Compounds as Novel Light-Dependent Protochlorophyllide Oxidoreductase Inhibitors
Previous Article in Special Issue
The Fungi–Bacteria Interaction Mechanism of Microbial Consortium During Efficient Lignin Degradation Based on Metabolomics Analysis
 
 
Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
Journals
Molecules
Volume 30
Issue 19
10.3390/molecules30193971
molecules-logo
Submit to this Journal Review for this Journal Propose a Special Issue
► Article Menu

Article Menu

share Share announcement Help format_quote Cite question_answer Discuss in SciProfiles
first_page
settings
Order Article Reprints
Font Type:
Arial Georgia Verdana
Font Size:
Aa Aa Aa
Line Spacing:
Column Width:
Background:
This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Article

Engineering PVA-CNF-MOF Composite Films for Active Packaging: Enhancing Mechanical Strength, Barrier Performance, and Stability for Fresh Produce Preservation

by
Sergio Carrasco
1,
Juan Amaro-Gahete
2,3,*,
Eduardo Espinosa
1,
Almudena Benítez
4,
Francisco J. Romero-Salguero
3 and
Alejandro Rodríguez
1
1
BioPrEn Group (RNM940), Chemical Engineering Department, Instituto Químico para la Energía y el Medioambiente (IQUEMA), Faculty of Science, University of Córdoba, 14014 Córdoba, Spain
2
Materiales Polifuncionales Basados en Carbono (UGR-Carbon), Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Unidad de Excelencia Química Aplicada a Biomedicina y Medioambiente, University of Granada (UEQ-UGR), 18071 Granada, Spain
3
Deparment of Organic Chemistry, Instituto Químico para la Energía y el Medioambiente (IQUEMA), Faculty of Science, University of Córdoba, Campus de Rabanales, Ed. Marie Curie, 14071 Córdoba, Spain
4
Departament of Inorganic Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Instituto Químico para la Energía y el Medioambiente (IQUEMA), Faculty of Science, University of Córdoba, 14071 Córdoba, Spain
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Molecules 2025, 30(19), 3971; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30193971
Submission received: 23 July 2025 / Revised: 15 September 2025 / Accepted: 17 September 2025 / Published: 3 October 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Lignocellulosic Biomass III)
Browse Figure
Versions Notes

Abstract

Food waste is a global challenge, with nearly 40% of food discarded annually, leading to economic losses, food insecurity, and environmental harm. Major factors driving spoilage include microbial contamination, enzymatic activity, oxidation, and excessive ethylene production. Active packaging offers a promising solution by extending shelf life through the selective absorption or release of specific substances. In this study, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) films incorporating metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) were prepared via solvent casting to enhance their mechanical and barrier properties. Five MOFs (HKUST-1, MIL-88A, BASF-A520, UiO-66, and MOF-801) were embedded in the PVA matrix and analyzed for their physical, mechanical, and optical characteristics. The incorporation of TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofibers (CNF) improved MOF dispersion, significantly strengthening film performance. Among the formulations, PVA-CNF-MOF-801 exhibited the best performance, with a 130% increase in tensile strength, a 50% reduction in water vapor permeability, and a 168% improvement in UV protection compared with neat PVA films. Ethylene adsorption tests with climacteric fruits confirmed that CNF-containing films retained ethylene more effectively than those without CNFs, although the differences among the MOFs were minimal. These results highlight the potential of PVA-CNF-MOF composite films as sustainable active packaging materials, providing an effective strategy to reduce food waste and its environmental impact.
Keywords: metal-organic frameworks; cellulose nanofibers; PVA; PVA-CNF-MOF film; active packaging metal-organic frameworks; cellulose nanofibers; PVA; PVA-CNF-MOF film; active packaging
Graphical Abstract

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Carrasco, S.; Amaro-Gahete, J.; Espinosa, E.; Benítez, A.; Romero-Salguero, F.J.; Rodríguez, A. Engineering PVA-CNF-MOF Composite Films for Active Packaging: Enhancing Mechanical Strength, Barrier Performance, and Stability for Fresh Produce Preservation. Molecules 2025, 30, 3971. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30193971

AMA Style

Carrasco S, Amaro-Gahete J, Espinosa E, Benítez A, Romero-Salguero FJ, Rodríguez A. Engineering PVA-CNF-MOF Composite Films for Active Packaging: Enhancing Mechanical Strength, Barrier Performance, and Stability for Fresh Produce Preservation. Molecules. 2025; 30(19):3971. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30193971

Chicago/Turabian Style

Carrasco, Sergio, Juan Amaro-Gahete, Eduardo Espinosa, Almudena Benítez, Francisco J. Romero-Salguero, and Alejandro Rodríguez. 2025. "Engineering PVA-CNF-MOF Composite Films for Active Packaging: Enhancing Mechanical Strength, Barrier Performance, and Stability for Fresh Produce Preservation" Molecules 30, no. 19: 3971. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30193971

APA Style

Carrasco, S., Amaro-Gahete, J., Espinosa, E., Benítez, A., Romero-Salguero, F. J., & Rodríguez, A. (2025). Engineering PVA-CNF-MOF Composite Films for Active Packaging: Enhancing Mechanical Strength, Barrier Performance, and Stability for Fresh Produce Preservation. Molecules, 30(19), 3971. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30193971

Article Metrics

Back to TopTop