Gas-regulating composite films with PBAT microsphere channels and ethylene adsorption for enhanced preservation of perishable fruits

To address the challenge of fruit spoilage, this study developed an eco-friendly composite film (CGTZ-P) with dual functionality for gas regulation and ethylene adsorption. The film incorporates biodegradable PBAT microspheres to form porous gas-permeable channels and mesoporous nano-zeolites modified with tannic acid as ethylene scavengers. The optimized CGTZ-P1 formulation demonstrated remarkable mechanical enhancement, with tensile strength and elongation at break increasing by 455.84% and 49.45%, respectively, compared to the control film. The composite film exhibited improved CO₂/O₂ selectivity, strong antioxidant activity (DPPH radical scavenging: 72.10%; ABTS radical scavenging: 81.22%, and effective antibacterial effects against both Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli . In the strawberry storage trial, the CGTZ-P1 film extended the shelf life by over 7 days at room temperature by maintaining fruit freshness, reducing weight loss, and delaying pH changes. This work provides a sustainable approach for developing multifunctional biodegradable packaging materials for fruit preservation.