Abstract BACKGROUND Gelatin (GL), a biodegradable and biocompatible protein, holds significant potential as a sustainable alternative to synthetic polymers in food packaging. However, its inherent hydrophilicity and limited mechanical strength restrict practical applications. To address these challenges, this study developed a gelatin/glyceryl monolaurate/genipin (GL/GML/GP) composite film via a casting blend method. The dual modification strategy aimed to establish a chemically crosslinked network (via GP) and integrate hydrophobic antimicrobial agents (GML) to enhance structural integrity, barrier properties, and functionality. RESULTS Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses confirmed that GP formed a stable crosslinked network, effectively encapsulating GML particles and preventing aggregation. Hydrogen bonding between hydroxyl groups of GML and the amino/amide moieties of GL further enhanced interfacial compatibility, yielding a uniform and dense matrix. The composite films exhibited exceptional mechanical strength (25.99 MPa) and fracture toughness (238.45%), representing increases of 107.26% and 176.55%, respectively, over pure GL films. Barrier properties improved significantly, with water vapor permeability reduced to 3.12 × 10 −10 g·m·m −2 ·s −1 ·Pa −1 and oxygen permeability to 5.89 × 10 −14 kg·m·m −2 ·s −1 ·Pa −1 . Additionally, GML conferred robust antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus , highlighting its suitability for active food packaging. CONCLUSION The GL/GML/GP composite films synergistically combine enhanced mechanical robustness, superior barrier performance, and antimicrobial functionality, addressing critical limitations of conventional GL materials. This work not only advances the design of high‐performance bio‐based packaging but also provides a scalable framework for developing multifunctional biopolymer composites. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.
Peng et al. (2025) studied this question.