Development and characterization of tapioca starch/pectin composite films incorporated with broccoli leaf polyphenols and the improvement of quality during the chilled mutton storage

•Tapioca starch and pectin (TSP) showed high compatibility as good film-forming substrates.•Polyphenols from Broccoli leaves have superior antioxidant properties.•Broccoli leaf polyphenols (BLP) were incorporated into TSP films to develop novel active films.•BLP improves the denseness and mechanical properties of TSP + BLP composite films.•These films could extend the quality and shelf life of the mutton during chilled storage. This study aimed at the composition of active packaging film from tapioca starch/pectin (TSP) incorporated with broccoli leaf polyphenols (BLP) was prepared and applied to improve the qualities of the chilled mutton during storage. The results indicated the addition of BLP significantly improved the thickness, density, barrier ability, mechanical properties, water solubility and antioxidant activity of the composite films while inducing decreases in the brightness (p