Bio-inspired multifunctional hydrophobic konjac glucomannan/bacterial cellulose-based film with quercetin for pork preservation and freshness monitoring

The inherent hydrophilicity and limited functionality of konjac glucomannan (KGM) have restricted its widespread utilization as a competitive candidate as food packaging materials. In this study, lotus leaf-inspired KGM-based composite films were prepared by replicating hierarchical micro/nano-papillae from lotus leaf surfaces via a template method, followed by single-sided impregnation with beeswax to reduce surface energy and enhance hydrophobicity. The resulting biomimetic film exhibited a water contact angle up to 134.63°. Quercetin (QR), a natural flavonoid compound, was incorporated into the KGM matrix and endowed the films with strong antioxidant, antibacterial, and UV-shielding properties. Furthermore, the QR-loaded films showed excellent pH-responsive colorimetric behavior for real-time freshness indication and stable fluorescence suitable for preliminary anti-counterfeiting demonstration. In the pork preservation test, the biomimetic film delayed lipid oxidation and quality deterioration, resulting in a modest shelf-life extension of 2 days compared with commercial polyethylene packaging under laboratory storage conditions. In addition, the film demonstrated excellent biodegradability and biocompatibility, as evidenced by 83.07% of mass loss after 35 days of soil burial, 90% of cell viability, and no adverse effects on pak choi seed germination. Therefore, this study provides a lotus-leaf-inspired structural integration strategy for developing biodegradable KGM/BC-based packaging films and offers a feasible pathway for the functional application of biomass materials in food packaging.