Characterization of soluble soybean polysaccharide film incorporated essential oil intended for food packaging

•A new active SSPS film incorporated ZEO and MEO were developed and characterized.•Dynamic mechanical, tensile properties and WVP of these films were determined.•The SEM micrograph did not show signs of phase separation between the components.•MEO and specially ZEO improved the barrier properties of the SSPS films.•The results showed that SSPS could be a promising carbohydrate for food packaging. This study examines the development of new bio-active polysaccharide-based bioplastics through casting and solvent-evaporation. Soluble soybean polysaccharide (SSPS) films incorporated with Zataria multiflora Boiss (ZEO) or Mentha pulegium (MEO) at various concentrations were prepared and characterized. The presence of ZEO and MEO improved polysaccharide interactions, reducing the films’ water solubility and water vapor barrier properties, but did not markedly modify their moisture content or thickness. Differing amounts of ZEO or MEO had no significant effect on mechanical behavior, with the exception of 3% oil concentration, which decreased tensile strength and significantly increased elongation at break. DMTA curves revealed a single Tg, which may indicate the compatibility of essential oil and SSPS. The electron scanning micrograph for the composite film was homogeneous, without signs of phase separation between the components. These results suggest that ZEO and MEO can potentially be directly incorporated into SSPS to prepare active biodegradable films for food-packaging applications.