Abstract:In this work, the effect of Arctium lappa extract on the structure and properties of chicken skin gelatin film was investigated. The chicken skin gelatin film and the Arctium lappa extract were used as the substrate and the modified material, respectively. The concentration of Arctium lappa extract in the composite film were 0%, 1%, 3%, 5% and 7%, respectively. The physical properties of the composite film were characterized by structural characterization. The results showed that with the increase of the concentration of Arctium lappa extract, the water vapor transmission rate of the composite film decreased firstly and then increased. When the concentration of Arctium lappa extract was 3%, the water vapor transmission rate decreased by 11.27%. The water solubility gradually decreased, and stabilized at 5% Arctium lappa extract (the value of water solubility was 72.29% at 5%). The tensile strength increased firstly and then decreased. The maxium was 22.44% when the concentration of Arctium lappa extract was 5%. The elongation at break and the light transmittance gradually decreased. The haze gradually increased, and the maxium (38.97%) was found at the concentration 5%. Antioxidant and bacteriostatic activities increased gradually, which value were 15.02% and 11.01% at a concentration of 5%, respectively. The antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli was significantly better than that of G. aureus. The hydroxyl radical scavenging rate gradually increased. When the concentration was 5%, it reached 59.98%. Structural characterization analysis showed that a new chemical bond was formed between the Arctium lappa extract and the chicken skin gelatin film. Crystals were also observed. The optimum concentration of Arctium lappa extract was 5%.