Development of Photo-Active Chitosan-Based Films with Riboflavin for Enhanced Antimicrobial Food Packaging Applications

This study reports the development of chitosan-based (CS) films incorporating riboflavin (RF) as a natural photosensitizer to create sustainable, light-activated antimicrobial packaging materials. The films were prepared by solvent casting, and their photochemical behavior under blue LED light (450 nm) was investigated, including RF photodegradation kinetics and structural changes in the film-forming solution analyzed by 1H NMR spectroscopy. Mechanical, thermal, optical, and barrier properties were also characterized to assess packaging suitability. Upon illumination, CS/RF films generated reactive oxygen species, particularly singlet oxygen (1O2), leading to visible color changes and significant antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas fluorescens. Bacterial growth was reduced by up to 97% after 120 min of irradiation (0.92 J cm−2), with efficacy observed at both room temperature and 4 °C. The incorporation of RF did not alter the films’ mechanical properties, while thermal stability was preserved, optical transparency was modulated, and excellent oxygen barrier performance was maintained, although water vapor permeability remained moderate. These findings demonstrate that CS/RF films combine functionality and sustainability, offering a promising strategy for extending food shelf life through light-activated antimicrobial action. Validation under real storage conditions is recommended to confirm their potential in diverse food systems.