Development of Chitosan and Polycaprolactone based active bilayer films enhanced with nanocellulose and grape seed extract

•Active chitosan (CH) films were prepared with nanocellulose and grape seed extract.•CH-based bilayer film was prepared by coating and compression with polycaprolactone.•Allowing combination of active properties with adequate physicomechanical properties.•The suitability of chitosan films was improved for food packaging applications. In this study, nanocellulose (NC) (2–5%, w/w) and grape seed extract (GSE) (15%, w/w) added chitosan (CH) and polycaprolactone (PCL) based active bilayer films were prepared by either coating with PCL in the form of chloroform solution (C-PCL) or compression of PCL and CH layers (P-PCL). Films were tested by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), water vapor permeability (WVP), tensile tests, optical and active properties (antimicrobial, and antioxidant activities), and release studies. The incorporation of NC significantly reduced WVP and opacity of films while GSE addition had an adverse effect. P-PCL films showed higher elastic modulus, tensile strength and WVP values and lower elasticity when compared to C-PCL films (p