Fabrication of Biocompatible and Antimicrobially Active ZnO‐Chitosan Nanocomposite Thin Film: A Smart Approach for Active Food Packaging

The food packaging industry remains heavily reliant on single‐use plastics, which contribute to severe environmental pollution despite ongoing recycling efforts. To address this challenge, this study presents the successful development of ZnO‐doped chitosan nanocomposite (CZ10) films as a sustainable alternative for food packaging. Structural and morphological characterizations through XRD, FTIR, and FESEM confirmed the crystalline nature, functional group interactions, and uniform surface morphology, verifying the effective incorporation of ZnO into the chitosan matrix. Antimicrobial evaluation revealed that CZ10 films achieved 81.41% bacterial mortality against Gram‐negative Escherichia coli and 84.89% against Gram‐positive Enterococcus faecalis , demonstrating broad‐spectrum antibacterial activity. Biocompatibility analysis showed 96% cell viability, confirming the safety of the films for direct food contact. Furthermore, UV–vis analysis of vegetable samples demonstrated the its efficiency in preserving food quality by reducing degradation. The novelty of this work lies in establishing ZnO‐doped chitosan nanocomposites as an eco‐friendly, biocompatible, and antimicrobial packaging material that can significantly reduce food spoilage and provide a sustainable solution to replace conventional plastic packaging.