Enhanced mechanical and UV-blocking properties of polyvinyl alcohol filled with the Parkia speciosa pods natural extract for food packaging

The search for renewable alternatives has been fueled by growing concerns about the detrimental impact of plastics derived from petroleum on the environment. This study evaluated petai (Parkia speciosa) pod extract (PE) as a plant-derived additive incorporated into polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) films. Incorporation of PE modified the PVA matrix and improved functional performance, consistent with enhanced intermolecular interactions and microstructural changes within the composite film. Notably, the PVA/PE film containing 1 wt% PE blocked 99.2% of Ultra Violet (UV) radiation and increased toughness and tensile strength by 75.5% and 70.3%, respectively, compared with neat PVA. The resulting films remained transparent and flexible, indicating their suitability for thin-film applications. In addition, the PVA/PE films exhibited antibacterial activity under the conditions tested, supporting their potential for food packaging. While plant extracts may contain diverse low-molecular-weight constituents, compound-specific identification and quantification of individual phytochemicals were outside the scope of this work; therefore, the mechanistic discussion is presented in terms of functional-group interactions rather than specific molecular attribution. Overall, PE-modified PVA films represent a promising candidate for sustainable packaging materials with enhanced UV-shielding and mechanical performance.