Preparation and characterization of bionanocomposite films filled with nanorod-rich zinc oxide

•We developed bionanocomposites for packaging based on nanorod zinc oxide.•Nanorod zinc oxide had antimicrobial activity on bionanocomposites.•Low concentration of nanorod zinc oxide had high UV absorbent capacity.•Nanorod zinc oxide improved mechanical and heat sealability of bionanocomposites. The effects of zinc oxide nanorods (ZnO-nr) incorporation on the physical, mechanical, heat sealability, barrier, thermal and antibacterial properties of sago starch and bovine gelatin bionanocomposites films were investigated. The ZnO was incorporated into the films at different concentrations (1–5%, w/w total solid). All films were plasticized with 40% (w/w of total solid) of a combination of sorbitol/glycerol at 3:1 ratio. Incorporation of 5% of ZnO-nr to starch and gelatin films decreased the permeability to oxygen by 40% and 55%, respectively. Moisture content and water absorption capacity of the films were decreased by increasing the ZnO-nr contents. Mechanical and heat seal properties of the films were increased more than 20%. The films exhibited UV absorption and displayed an excellent antimicrobial activity against the Escherichia coli. These properties suggest that bionanocomposites based on ZnO-nr have the potential as an active packaging material for food and pharmaceutical industries.